Airbus confirmed on Dec 1, 2025 that it has identified a supplier quality issue affecting a limited number of metal fuselage panels on A320-family aircraft and is inspecting potentially impacted jets, the company said. The problem follows a weekend software recall that had already disrupted A320 operations.
Industry sources told Reuters the issue could affect dozens of A320s in production and recent deliveries, forcing extra inspections and causing a notable slowdown in November handovers, 72 aircraft were delivered that month, below expectations, and contributing to Airbus cutting its 2025 delivery target.
What Airbus said and what is known
- Company confirmation: Airbus said it “identified a supplier quality issue affecting a limited number of A320 metal panels,” that the source has been identified and contained, and that newly produced panels conform to requirements. Airbus said it is inspecting aircraft potentially impacted.
- Scope & safety: Airbus stated there were no indications that affected panels had reached aircraft in service in a way that compromises safety; the company called the situation contained while inspections proceed.
Delivery impact and targets
- November deliveries: Industry sources indicated Airbus delivered 72 jets in November, bringing the year-to-date total to 657; to meet its earlier target of ~820 deliveries Airbus would have needed a record December run. The panel problem and repair bottlenecks mean Airbus revised its 2025 delivery guidance downward in early December.
- Revised target: On Dec 3, Airbus publicly lowered its 2025 delivery target to around 790 aircraft, citing supplier quality issues among the reasons. The company said it would nonetheless maintain its financial targets.
Who’s affected and industry reaction
- Production & deliveries: Reuters and other outlets report the defect affects fuselage panels supplied by an external supplier; panels can be at different stages, in service, on assembly lines, or still in early production, which determines repair workload and scheduling. One industry source estimated around 50 jets may be affected, but Airbus described the count as a “limited number.”
- Airlines responding: Major carriers (for example Lufthansa) said they would inspect recently delivered aircraft; airlines rely on manufacturer guidance to schedule inspections and acceptances. This type of supplier issue typically triggers targeted checks rather than fleet groundings when no immediate safety risk is indicated.
Why the timing is critical
Peak production pressure: Airbus was already under pressure to hit a lofty 2025 delivery goal, and the company had just dealt with a separate software vulnerability that required temporary grounding/repairs for many A320s. The panel inspections add another layer of logistical strain, particularly on supply, repair slots and transport of replacement parts.
Broader supply-chain lessons & implications
- Supplier risk: Modern narrowbody production relies on a complex, global supplier network. A single supplier defect can cascade across dozens or hundreds of airframes because of high volume production and tight sequencing. Aviation supply chains have limited slack; small deviations multiply into schedule and delivery impacts.
- Aftermarket & MRO demand: Inspections and any corrective work create surges in maintenance workload, a supportive opportunity for MRO providers but a headache for airlines and OEM logistics planners.
Timeline
- Late Nov 2025: Airbus and regulators implement a software update after a solar-radiation-related cockpit systems vulnerability affected many A320s. Repairs and recalls temporarily grounded some jets.
- Dec 1, 2025: Reuters reports Airbus identified a supplier quality issue with A320 metal panels; Airbus confirms and begins inspections.
- Dec 3, 2025: Airbus lowers its 2025 delivery target to around 790 aircraft, citing quality/supplier issues and delivery pressures.
What’s next? watchlist for readers
- Airbus updates: Watch for Airbus to publish a detailed count of affected aircraft and an updated remediation timetable.
- Airline notices & inspections: Monitor airline AOG (aircraft on ground) notices and acceptance statements as inspections progress. Expect targeted inspections rather than broad groundings where safety is not compromised.
- Supply-chain impact: Track whether Airbus names the supplier and how contractual/quality remedies are pursued; this will indicate the scale and duration of repair logistics.
Sources
- Reuters, Exclusive: Airbus hit by new A320 quality problem after software recall (Tim Hepher).
- Reuters, Airbus cuts 2025 delivery target after jet issues (Dimitri Rhodes & Tim Hepher).
- AP, Airbus inspects panels on ubiquitous A320 passenger jets.
- The Guardian, analysis of delivery target and supplier issue.
- Aerotime / industry press, overview of production and delivery context.
