Airbus A320 Faces Metal Panel Checks After Supplier Issue

Airbus has announced a precautionary inspection of its A320 fleet after a supplier-related quality issue with metal panels was identified. Around 600 planes could potentially be affected, though the company emphasized that only a limited number may require repairs.

The European manufacturer described the move as a "conservative approach," aiming to ensure all potentially impacted aircraft are thoroughly checked. New panels already in production meet required standards, Airbus confirmed.

This development follows last week’s massive grounding of thousands of A320s for an urgent software update. That incident, linked to solar radiation affecting flight control computers, led to one plane suddenly losing altitude mid-flight and injuring 15 passengers. The update affected over 6,000 aircraft worldwide, causing widespread travel disruption during a peak holiday period.

Airbus said the number of planes requiring specific action is "reducing day by day" as inspections continue. Airlines operating the A320, including major carriers across Europe, the US, and Asia, have been contacted for further checks.

While the latest metal panel issue is separate from the software problem, it highlights the ongoing challenges for Airbus in maintaining safety and reliability across its widely used A320 fleet.