Airbus has identified a manufacturing quality fault impacting fuselage panels on a number of A320-family aircraft, industry sources told Reuters, coming just days after the planemaker recalled almost 6,000 jets for urgent software upgrades. The new problem has delayed some deliveries, however no planes in service appear damaged, the sources said. Airbus acknowledged that it had discovered the problem with a “limited number” of metal panels, claiming that the source has been isolated and that new production satisfies specifications. Shares dropped as much as 11% before finishing 5.6-6% lower, hitting the Stoxx 600 hardest as investors worried about year-end targets.
Airbus uses both internal and external suppliers for the fuselage, with the front sections coming from France and the rear from Germany. A person familiar said deliveries are already affected, though numbers and dates remain unknown. Airbus claimed only a percentage needs further work, but experts termed the timing cruel amid push for 820 deliveries, with November at 72 jets for 657 yearly total. CEO Guillaume Fa is analyzing December consequences after a “weak” November, per sources.
Software Recall Resolved Faster, But Fleet Disruptions Linger:
The panel snag follows Airbus’s largest-ever emergency action, grounding half its A320 fleet over a solar radiation glitch corrupting flight control data on a JetBlue flight. By Monday, most of 6,000 affected jets got software downgrades to a prior version via cockpit data loaders, quicker than the three-hour-per-plane estimate. Airlines like Flyadeal’s CEO noted surprise at speed despite complexities, with Finnair facing tarmac delays. JetBlue cancelled 20 flights Monday.
Airbus lacks real-time software visibility due to reporting lags, complicating the initial scope, sources said. Older jets need hardware swaps, but numbers dropped from 1,000 estimates. Fa apologised for disruptions during U.S. Thanksgiving, marking Airbus’s first major safety spotlight since Boeing’s 737 MAX woes, prompting transparency vows. Lufthansa and easyJet shares dipped on the news.
Delivery Pressure Mounts as 2025 Goals Slip:
November’s 72 deliveries fell short of expectations, leaving Airbus needing 160+ in December, a record to hit 820, versus 2019’s monthly high of 138. Jefferies’ Chloe Lemarie forecast 71 for November, seeing underlying ramp-up but risk from glitches. Vertical Research’s expert said strong demand makes targets tough, with fuselage woes worst-timed. Independent analyst Rob Morris pegged 800 possible, enough for “victory” per forecast wording.
The quality escape highlights supplier risks in aerostructures, where panels come from multiple vendors. Airbus insists newly produced parts comply, but inspections continue on potentially affected jets. No in-service fixes needed yet, easing immediate safety fears, but backlog threatens cash flow as airlines pay bulk on handover.
Industry Scrutiny Shifts from Boeing to Airbus:
Following criticism of Boeing’s MAX issue due to software defects and a delayed reaction, events focus on Airbus. Global groundings were required due to a software issue that was caused by solar flares distorting nose angle controls, however quick adjustments revealed better procedures. Fa’s contrition reflects crisis management evolution amid lawsuits and PR caution.
Saudi Flyadeal commended quick handling, while certain carriers were delayed due to a lack of data loaders. The panel issue, which came from a supplier, highlights the strains on the supply chain as Airbus rushes to clear the backlog and Boeing’s problems increase orders. Shares’ slump indicates investor worries amid simultaneous hits affecting financials.
