Supplier quality issue: Airbus launches inspection of best-selling A320 passenger jets

London: Airbus is currently inspecting panels on its best-selling A320 passenger jets after identifying a supplier quality issue affecting a limited number of metal panels on the aircraft. The source of the problem has been identified and contained, and all newly produced panels meet the required standards, according to Airbus.

"The source of the issue has been identified, contained, and all newly produced panels conform to all requirements," Airbus said in a brief statement.

The manufacturer is taking a conservative approach by inspecting all potentially affected planes, although only a portion may require further action. Airbus relies on thousands of suppliers for parts and components.

This announcement follows Airbus’s recent report that a software glitch affecting about 6,000 A320 jets, one of the largest recalls in its history, has mostly been resolved with an update. The software issue, linked to intense solar radiation corrupting critical flight control data, caused disruptions, including a sudden altitude drop of a JetBlue plane in October, injuring passengers. Regulators in the US and Europe mandated airlines to implement the fix before the planes could fly again.

Airlines faced delays and cancellations over a busy US Thanksgiving weekend due to these urgent modifications. Airlines around the world, including American Airlines, Delta, Japan’s All Nippon Airways, Air India, and Lufthansa, were affected. Airbus apologised for the challenges and delays caused.

The A320 family competes primarily with Boeing’s 737 and remains a backbone for many short-haul carriers globally. Despite challenges, Airbus aims for a record number of deliveries by the end of the year.

With inputs from AP