Caught in the Chaos? Here’s Why Your Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific Flight Could Be Cancelled Due to a Critical Airbus A320 Safety Issue

Published on November 29, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

In a major development for the aviation industry, Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific grounded numerous flights on November 29, 2025, following a technical advisory issued by Airbus. This advisory, triggered by a rare vulnerability in the A320 Family aircraft, impacts thousands of planes worldwide, including models A320 and A321. The issue, stemming from intense solar radiation, has led to disruptions in the Philippines’ busy domestic flight network. The advisory and the subsequent grounding of planes come after an earlier incident involving JetBlue Airways that raised alarm in the aviation community.

What Happened?
On November 28, 2025, Airbus issued a technical advisory in response to an emerging safety risk related to its A320 Family of aircraft, which includes the A320, A321, A318, and A319 models. The advisory pointed out that intense solar radiation, such as solar flares and cosmic rays, could corrupt critical flight control data. This interference primarily affects the Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC), a vital component of the A320 family’s fly-by-wire controls, which manages the aircraft’s stabilizer and wing surfaces.

This issue first came to light on October 30, 2025, during a JetBlue Airways flight from Cancun, Mexico, to New Jersey, USA. The flight experienced a sudden “pitch down” event, where the aircraft unexpectedly lost altitude while on autopilot, injuring 15 people onboard. Investigation results revealed that the solar radiation had interfered with the ELAC system, triggering the uncommanded drop in altitude.

Who Is Affected?
The issue has impacted a significant number of Airbus A320 Family aircraft globally, with estimates indicating that around 6,000 planes out of 11,300 are at risk. Major operators worldwide, including US-based airlines such as American Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue, have been affected by the advisory. Airlines like Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have had to cancel several domestic flights to comply with the necessary safety measures.

When Did the Problem Occur?
The problem became more pronounced on November 29, 2025, when PAL and Cebu Pacific canceled at least 78 domestic flights. The cancellations involved several key routes from Manila, including those heading to popular destinations like Cebu, Davao, and Caticlan. Cebu Pacific flights such as 5J 899/900 (Manila-Caticlan-Manila) and 5J 2511/2502 (Manila-Cebu-Manila) were among those impacted. This disruption came during the post-Thanksgiving travel rush, adding to the strain on the airline industry.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) also stepped in on November 28, issuing an Emergency Airworthiness Directive requiring immediate action from all operators of A320 Family aircraft. The directive mandates that airlines address the issue before the next flight to prevent further safety risks.

Where Did This Happen?
While the advisory affects aircraft globally, it has had a direct impact on operations within the Philippines, particularly affecting the operations of Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. The disruption also reverberated in regions where A320 Family aircraft are commonly deployed, including North America, Australia, and parts of Europe. Philippine authorities and the affected airlines worked quickly to manage the situation and minimize the impact on travelers.

How Will This Be Resolved?
To mitigate the risks, Airbus has mandated urgent precautionary measures. These include updating the software, reverting to an older version, or replacing the affected hardware. These fixes typically take 2 to 3 hours per aircraft, meaning affected planes must remain grounded until the necessary updates are completed. As of November 30, 2025, the airlines and authorities expected operations to return to normal, with most updates completed overnight.

Why Does This Matter for Travelers?
For travelers in the Philippines and beyond, the grounding of aircraft has resulted in significant flight cancellations and delays. However, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have promised to offer rebooking without fees and advised passengers to check flight statuses. With the holiday season approaching and increased passenger traffic, the timing of the recall couldn’t be worse, creating uncertainty for many travelers.

For affected travelers, it’s important to stay informed about the status of their flights and make arrangements accordingly. Many airlines have updated their policies to accommodate the unexpected disruptions. As operations resume, travelers are urged to recheck their bookings to avoid further inconveniences.

Global Impact and Long-Term Implications
This incident is one of the largest safety recalls in Airbus’s history, affecting a major portion of the A320 family fleet. While solar radiation interference with electronics, known as “single-event upsets,” is not new in aviation, this specific vulnerability in the A320 Family’s software was only recently identified. Airbus has emphasized that the advisory is precautionary and aims to ensure passenger safety.

The issue has also placed a strain on global aviation maintenance resources, already stretched thin by other ongoing challenges. The timely resolution of this safety risk is critical to ensuring minimal disruption to travelers and maintaining confidence in the A320 family of aircraft.

As the global aviation industry addresses this unprecedented challenge, airlines and passengers alike will need to adapt to ensure smooth and safe travel in the coming weeks. For now, the key takeaway for travelers is to stay informed about flight statuses, as the grounding and updates are expected to cause some delays even after the initial fixes are completed.

Conclusion
While the Airbus A320 family faces a significant safety challenge due to solar radiation risks, the quick response from both Airbus and aviation regulators aims to mitigate further incidents. Passengers should remain aware of ongoing disruptions, particularly in regions with high traffic volumes like the Philippines, and plan their travel accordingly.