:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-2248356951-918fb137de8440d6a56ea0ec248d49e5.jpg "Airbus May Face a New A320 Problem as It Nears Resolution of Software Issue")
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Key Takeaways
- Airbus said it is near completion of fixing a software issue that had grounded 6,000 of its A320 aircraft.
- Reports on Monday indicated the European plane maker had found an issue with the fuselage in dozens of planes.
Airbus on Monday announced that the vast majority of its A320 passenger jets have been fixed after a software problem led to the grounding of 6,000 of the planes, but the European aircraft maker may have another issue.
Airbus said fewer than 100 A320s still need updates to address concerns that “intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.” It explained that it is working with its customers “to support the modification.”
Why This News Is Important
The A320 is one of the most widely used passenger jets in the world, so software glitches or manufacturing issues can create ripple effects across air travel. And with Airbus aiming to deliver roughly 820 jets this year, any slowdown increases the chances of the company missing its production targets and financial goals.
Meantime, Reuters has reported that the company has discovered an issue with the fuselage in dozens of planes. Sources tell the news agency that it’s a suspected production flaw that is delaying some deliveries. However, there are no signs that aircraft currently in service are impacted, the sources said.
Reuters cited industry sources that indicated Airbus had delivered 72 of the A320s last month, below analysts’ estimates. That would bring the 2025 total to 657, while the company has targeted a total of about 820.
Airbus shares are down in European trading. Shares of several U.S. airlines, down earlier this morning, are little changed in afternoon trading.
