Airbus A320s Face Inspection Over Metal Defect

Aerospace giant Airbus has identified a potential quality defect affecting its flagship A320 aircraft. The issue involves specific metal plates used in the fuselage construction. Consequently, the manufacturer is reviewing up to 628 jets globally.

Airbus clarified that this figure represents the maximum number of potentially affected units, not confirmed defects. Officials emphasized that the list of impacted aircraft is shrinking “day by day” as inspections verify the fleet’s integrity.

The company traced the problem to a specific supplier. They described the defect as “contained” and limited to a small number of metal panels.

Market Reaction and Delivery Delays

Despite assurances that the issue is contained, the news hit the market hard. The company’s share price suffered a sharp decline following the disclosure.

Investors reacted negatively to potential disruptions. Reports indicate that necessary quality control checks have already delayed the delivery of some A320 aircraft. This bottleneck threatens to slow down the manufacturer’s overall output.

Consecutive Setbacks for Airbus

This development adds to a challenging period for the European planemaker. It comes immediately after another major complication emerged last week.

Previously, experts recommended grounding approximately 6,000 A320s pending a critical software upgrade. That directive followed a safety incident reported in the United States.

Supply Chain Pressures

The A320 family currently holds the title of the world’s best-selling commercial aircraft. By the end of September, Airbus had delivered over 12,257 units. This figure places it slightly ahead of its main competitor, the Boeing 737.

However, these consecutive technical setbacks have reignited industry concerns. Experts worry about the strain on global supply chains. Furthermore, questions are rising regarding the intensity of manufacturing pressures required to maintain high production volumes for such a vital aviation asset.

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