Yesterday, November 28, 2025, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a mandatory technical directive (“Airworthiness Directive”) that applies to Airbus A320 aircraft. This directive instructs operators of Airbus A320 aircraft to replace or modify a component (“elevator aileron computer”) before the next flight. This computer controls the movement of the aircraft’s elevator (up/down) and ailerons. It is the first time that such a directive applies to such a large number of A320 aircraft worldwide, and all affected aircraft will have to be grounded until the modification is completed.
“Airworthiness Directive” and safety
In the aviation world, it is common for such directives to be issued. They are implemented to improve the safety of the aircraft type concerned, based on operational feedback. What is uncommon is that such a large number of aircraft is affected simultaneously, as is now the case. It is important to note that the Airbus A320 aircraft that continue to fly are either not affected by the directive or have already been modified according to the requirements. It should also be emphasized that, in general, the Airbus A320 is a very safe aircraft with a strong safety record.
Impact on Aruba
The Airbus A320 is one of the most widely used aircraft in the world. Because such a large number of A320 aircraft are now affected, airlines may be forced to cancel certain flights. Aruba is no exception: some flights to Aruba may be cancelled, as the Airbus A320 is commonly used by several airlines operating to Aruba. It is expected that the situation will last at least one to two weeks. For this reason, passengers of airlines using this aircraft type are advised to stay in contact with their airline and to monitor the website of our airport.