Airbus A220: Investigation into Corrosion Issues in Some Components

Aviación al Día

1 month ago

Airbus is investigating corrosion problems in certain A220 aircraft, affecting a “limited number” of planes. Despite this finding, both the company and several airlines have stated that the situation does not pose an immediate safety risk, according to CBS News.

Nature and Scope of the Problem

The corrosion issue has been identified in certain elements of the passenger seats and in components of the wings, particularly in the wing-to-body fairing. This structure minimizes aerodynamic drag at the junction of the wing and fuselage and does not play a structural role.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is aware of the problem and has confirmed that airlines are taking measures to address it. According to Airbus, scheduled maintenance checks allow for the timely detection of corrosion and the application of necessary corrections without affecting the fleet’s operability.

Response from Airlines

Delta Air Lines

Delta, the largest global operator of the A220, has identified corrosion in some passenger seat anchors, which has required additional inspections and the application of lubricant. However, the airline assures that this has not led to cancellations or impacted scheduled flights.

“Our maintenance system is designed to ensure that each aircraft meets or exceeds regulatory standards,” stated a Delta spokesperson. Additionally, the airline noted that while other companies have reported corrosion in the wing-to-body fairing, their mechanics have not detected this issue in their fleet.

JetBlue and Breeze Airways

JetBlue and Breeze Airways, along with international carriers such as Air Canada, Air France, and Swiss, also operate dozens of A220s. A Breeze spokesperson confirmed that the airline is taking preventive measures, while JetBlue is working closely with Airbus to address the situation. Both airlines stated that the reliability of their fleets has not been compromised.

Historical and Regulatory Context

In 2021, Transport Canada issued an airworthiness directive related to corrosion in the slat tracks of the A220’s wings. The problem, attributed to insufficient grease application during production, required additional inspections. However, the current corrosion issues extend beyond what was addressed in that directive.

The A220 was originally developed by Bombardier under the name C-Series, but Airbus acquired it due to financial difficulties faced by the Canadian company. Currently, it is manufactured in Quebec and Mobile, Alabama, and has a capacity of between 100 and 150 passengers, making it a modern option to replace models such as the Embraer 190 and the Boeing 717.

Since the initial certification of the A220 was conducted by Canadian regulators, the FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) only validated its certification and are not typically the primary authorities in such matters.