Daily Briefing – November 29, 2025
Good morning, airfreight professionals. Today’s briefing covers critical software challenges for the Airbus A320 fleet, ongoing disruptions in Russian aviation due to winter conditions, geopolitical airspace tensions in South Asia, and notable industry updates from Europe and beyond.
Airbus A320 Software Issue Spurs Worldwide Fleet Checks, But Impact Varied
A serious software vulnerability linked to cosmic solar radiation has forced Airbus to mandate immediate updates on more than 6,000 aircraft of the A320 family worldwide. The recall follows a recent incident involving an American JetBlue Airbus A320 experiencing sudden altitude loss due to corrupted flight data. Airlines globally must apply new software patches or risk grounding their jets.
Fortunately, several major carriers in Germany, including Lufthansa, Swiss, and Condor, have responded swiftly, minimizing operational disruptions. Likewise, Dutch airlines KLM and Transavia report no flight cancellations connected to this issue. However, French Air France and American Airlines have faced more operational challenges, experiencing some delays and cancellations as they implement urgent fixes.
This patch affects thousands of aircraft due to the risk of solar particle interference distorting critical flight instruments, a concern Airbus is taking very seriously. As reported by airliners.de and aerotelegraph.com, the coordinated efforts to implement the fix are ongoing, with regulators closely monitoring the situation.
Russian Aviation Struggles with Severe Winter Weather
In Russia, aviation operators continue to grapple with extreme winter conditions that have compounded existing challenges in the region’s beleaguered airline industry. Recent weeks saw multiple critical incidents, driven by heavy snowfall and icy runways, putting additional pressure on safety and scheduling. Industry experts warn that systemic weaknesses in infrastructure and fleet modernization efforts exacerbate the seasonal impact.
Air India Seeks Diplomatic Support for New Overflight Rights
Faced with a continuing ban on Pakistani airspace, Air India has formally requested government intervention to negotiate new routes via Chinese military-controlled airspace. This diplomatic push aims to reduce detours and lower fuel costs on key international flights. Reuters reports the matter is now high on India’s civil aviation agenda as the airline pursues more efficient access to Asia-Pacific markets.
European Developments: Basel Runway Closure & Airline Business Moves
- EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg will close its main runway (15/33) and taxiway Bravo for extensive resurfacing from April 15 to May 20, 2026. During this period, only the secondary runway will be operational with a significantly reduced flight schedule. EasyJet emerges as the sole carrier maintaining service at the airport throughout the closure.
- Sun Express and Bulgaria’s Electra Airways end their partnership after just one season, cancelling flights from seven German airports to Bulgarian destinations. The move marks a strategic withdrawal from the Bulgarian market amid shifting demand patterns.
- Norse Atlantic Airways has appointed Eivind Roald as the new CEO, replacing company founder Bjørn Tore Larsen. The Norwegian long-haul low-cost carrier is expected to leverage Roald’s leadership to navigate competitive pressures and expand its market footprint.
- Jet2 has expanded its winter schedule at Cologne/Bonn Airport, launching new flights to Leeds Bradford twice weekly and adding seasonal services from Birmingham, Newcastle, and Manchester.
Additional Industry Insights
- Following the tragic UPS MD-11 crash earlier this year, the freighter model remains grounded in many fleets during ongoing investigations.
- Airbus continues rigorous certification flights for the new A350F freighter, anticipating entry into service within the next year.
- EasyJet’s fleet renewal program is accelerating, targeting a modern and more fuel-efficient lineup by 2028.
- The Netherlands ramps up environmental taxation approving significant hikes in private jet levies, with business and private jet passengers facing fees ranging from €1,015 to €2,100 per flight starting in 2030.
That’s all for today’s briefing. Stay tuned for our daily YouTube update covering these topics in detail.
Your airfreightinsider.com editorial team