Airbus has confirmed a quality issue affecting metal fuselage panels on a limited number of its popular A320 passenger jets but says the problem is contained. The planemaker said it has identified the supplier involved and is now inspecting all potentially affected aircraft, although only a portion is expected to need any corrective work.
According to Airbus, all newly produced panels already meet required standards, and production is continuing. News of the checks initially sent the company’s shares down by more than 10 per cent in Paris before the stock recovered some of its losses later in the day.
The fresh concern emerged shortly after Airbus warned that around 6,000 A320 family aircraft worldwide require a safety related software update. That move followed an incident on 30 October, when a JetBlue A320 flying from Cancun to Newark experienced an in flight control issue linked to a computer malfunction apparently triggered by solar radiation, forcing an emergency diversion to Tampa.
Airbus initially feared that many planes could be grounded for an extended period, but it now says fewer than 100 aircraft remain parked while awaiting the software fix. Analysts at Deutsche Bank noted that the company has not changed its delivery guidance, suggesting the overall impact of the software and panel issues on output may be manageable.
The A320, in service since 1988, is the world’s best selling commercial aircraft, with Airbus recording 12,257 sales by the end of September, slightly ahead of Boeing’s 737, which has logged 12,254 orders. Industry watchers say how quickly Airbus resolves the latest quality and software problems will be key to maintaining airline confidence and meeting delivery schedules.
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