Airbus Identifies A321neo Fuselage Quality Issue Affecting Hundreds of Jets

Airbus has identified and contained a quality issue affecting the fuselage structure of some A321neo aircraft, but said the problem does not present a safety risk and planes can continue operating normally.

A person familiar with the matter said the defect affects about 500 aircraft, including around 250 already in service and another 250 still in production.

The A321neo is Airbus’s largest and most widely used single-aisle aircraft. The jet can carry as many as 244 passengers and has a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles, making it a key aircraft for airlines operating medium and longer routes.

Airbus said it discovered a “deviation” in the surface protection or coating applied to structural components known as stringers. These components run lengthwise along the aircraft fuselage and form part of its structural framework.

The company said the issue was identified while affected parts were already undergoing rework on the production line. Airbus said it had contained the source of the problem and developed a remedy.

The issue is the second industrial problem involving the fuselage of the A321neo family in less than a year. Airbus reported defects involving fuselage panels in December, a problem that also did not pose a safety threat but contributed to delays in aircraft deliveries as the company worked to assess and resolve the issue.

The latest finding comes as Airbus is working to increase production of its narrowbody aircraft from around 60 jets a month to a target of 75.

The source familiar with the latest issue said Airbus first detected the problem during the summer, with initial results from more detailed analysis becoming available recently.

Airlines receiving affected aircraft are continuing to accept deliveries without requiring additional work to be completed before handover, according to the source. Airbus has also told customers that there is no immediate requirement to repair aircraft already in service.

European aviation regulators could issue a formal directive requiring operators to address the defects within a specified period.

Delta Air Lines, which operates A321neo aircraft, said it was monitoring the situation and maintaining contact with Airbus.

“We are in contact with our OEM partners continually and will always take action to meet or exceed operator recommendations and regulator directives,” Delta said.

The issue was first reported by aviation industry publication Air Current.

Airbus has not indicated that the quality problem requires aircraft to be grounded or removed from service. The company’s assessment that the issue has no safety implications allows affected aircraft to remain in operation while further action is determined.

The latest development adds to the manufacturing challenges facing Airbus as it seeks to raise output of its best-selling narrowbody aircraft and meet a large order backlog from airlines around the world.