Hundreds of Airbus A320s face checks after metal plate defect discovered
Inspection of Airbus A320 Aircraft Due to Metal Plate Issue
Inspection of Airbus A320 Aircraft Due to Metal Plate Issue
Airbus has announced that up to 628 of its A320 aircraft worldwide may require inspection following the discovery of a quality issue related to metal plates. This figure represents the maximum potentially affected aircraft, though the actual number is decreasing as inspections progress.
The manufacturer identified a supplier-related problem, which is reportedly contained and limited to a small number of metal panels used in A320 fuselages. Despite this, the announcement has impacted the market, leading to a decline in Airbus shares due to concerns over delivery delays for some A320 aircraft.
This figure represents the maximum potentially affected aircraft, though the actual number is decreasing as inspections progress.
In addition to the current issue, Airbus recently advised grounding approximately 6,000 A320 aircraft until a software upgrade is implemented. This follows a separate incident in the United States.
The A320 family, with 12,257 units delivered by the end of September, remains the world’s best-selling aircraft, surpassing Boeing’s 737. However, recent challenges are raising questions about manufacturing pressures and the global supply chain associated with one of aviation’s most critical aircraft models.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
