Airbus delivers 72 aircraft in September and inspects A330 tailplanes

Airbus reached approximately 72 aircraft deliveries in September, matching closely the 73 units handed over during the same month last year. Industry sources indicate this volume exceeds market projections, though the manufacturer deferred formal comment until the release of its monthly bulletin on October 8.

The European airframer faces persistent supply chain disruption, engine shortages, and industrial quality defects affecting A321neo components. To maintain handover rates, Airbus offered commercial concessions to airline operators navigating potential cost increases linked to tighter maintenance intervals. About 20 deliveries shifted from the third to the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, Commercial Executive Director Lars Wagner confirmed his confidence in achieving the annual target of approximately 870 deliveries.

Concurrently, Airbus issued operational recommendations to operators of the A330 type. The guidance advises inspections of the horizontal tailplane following the discovery of a loose tool inside an aircraft earlier this year. This proactive measure precedes an anticipated regulatory directive later this year. According to Cirium data, the advisory affects around 160 airframes delivered between January 2021 and July of this year, including 15 Multi Role Tanker Transport variants. Aircraft currently rolling off production lines are cleared without delivery restrictions.