Airbus software jolt: Crucial update for United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines passengers

Many airlines in the United States have been impacted after Airbus issued an alert on Friday, warning that as many as 6,000 active A320 aircraft might need immediate repairs, a development that threatens major disruptions during the busiest travel weekend of the year.

This setback appears to be one the biggest recalls affecting Airbus in its 55-year history and comes just weeks after the A320 surpassed the Boeing 737 as the most-delivered aircraft model, Reuters reported earlier.