Philippine Airlines announced that its aircraft affected by the Airbus and European Union Aviation Safety Agency directive have now undergone the required software upgrade, marking a key development after widespread flight cancellations across the country linked to the global A320/A321 recall.
The airline said its engineering teams carried out the update on all aircraft scheduled for commercial service under the scope of the directive, which centers on the Elevator and Aileron Computer (ELAC) system. The software revision was ordered after Airbus traced a flight-control anomaly to data corruption within the ELAC unit, an issue brought to prominence following a JetBlue A320 incident in the United States that triggered a worldwide repair campaign.
In its statement, PAL said, “all PAL aircraft scheduled to operate commercial flights and covered by the recent Airbus and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) directive on the mandatory Elevator and Aileron Computer (ELAC) software update have successfully completed the required upgrade.” The flag carrier added that its specialists “worked swiftly and meticulously to ensure full compliance within the prescribed timeframe, prioritizing the highest standards of safety and reliability.”
The recall has placed significant strain on airlines relying on A320-family jets, a backbone of domestic and regional aviation in the Philippines. Thousands of similar aircraft worldwide were grounded for quick software reversions, with some carriers facing hangar bottlenecks and heavy operational disruption due to the volume of jets requiring attention. Philippine operators, including Cebu Pacific, were forced to publish extensive cancellation lists earlier in the day as maintenance teams rushed to complete the fix.
PAL said it is now shifting its focus to restoring regular operations, noting that “we are now working to normalize flight schedules at the soonest possible time.” The airline emphasized its coordination with aviation regulators and airport partners in an effort to reduce any remaining impact on passengers.
“We sincerely thank our passengers for their patience, understanding, and continued trust as we implement these essential safety measures,” the airline added.
Travelers seeking updated information are advised to monitor flight status through PAL’s website and official channels.
