UAE carriers are carrying out rapid technical updates after Airbus issued an urgent directive for immediate software changes on its A320-family aircraft, a move affecting thousands of jets operated worldwide.
The announcement was made late Friday when the European manufacturer instructed airlines to install updated flight-control software across the A320 fleet. Industry estimates suggest the recall covers roughly 6,000 passenger aircraft globally.
Air Arabia confirmed on Saturday that it had begun applying the required changes to its aircraft. In a statement to Khaleej Times, the Sharjah-based airline said the advisory had been received and work was underway across all affected jets.
“We have begun implementing the required measures across the impacted aircraft in our fleet and expect to complete all updates by the end of today. Our teams have worked diligently to ensure minimal impact on our customers throughout this process,” a spokesperson said. The airline added that it regretted any inconvenience caused and stressed that passenger safety remained its top priority.
According to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium, UAE airlines currently operate 106 Airbus A320-family aircraft. Air Arabia and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi account for 67 of these, making them among the carriers most affected by the recall.
Etihad Airways reported that its A320 fleet had already returned to regular service. The Abu Dhabi carrier said its operational and technical teams completed the installation quickly despite heavy passenger traffic at Zayed International Airport ahead of the long weekend.
“We appreciate the professionalism of our teams across the network and thank our guests for their patience and understanding. Safety remains Etihad’s highest priority,” the airline said.
Cirium figures show Etihad has 39 A320-family aircraft in operation. Across the Middle East, 376 aircraft in this category are active, while 48 are in storage.
Aviation experts say Airbus’s directive follows a rare in-flight control issue reported on a JetBlue-operated A320 in the United States. The incident caused a sudden descent and led to passenger injuries, prompting a detailed review.
Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at StrategicAero Research, described the situation as unprecedented. He said Airbus is attempting to identify and correct vulnerabilities possibly linked to exposure to intense solar radiation. He added that A320 operators across the Gulf — including Saudi, flyadeal, flynas, Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, EgyptAir, Royal Jordanian, SalamAir and Pakistan International Airlines — are likely to be affected as airlines wait for full clarity from Airbus.
Ahmad noted that while software updates can be completed within hours, any required hardware replacements could keep aircraft grounded for several days, leading to schedule disruptions across the region.
