TOULOUSE- European plane maker, Airbus has identified corrosion problems affecting a “limited population” of A220 passenger jets, including some operated by U.S. airlines.
Both the manufacturer and airlines have confirmed the issue does not pose an immediate safety concern.
Photo: AirbusAirbus A220 Corrosion Problem
“Regular maintenance checks are scheduled to ensure it is captured early and the right corrective actions are put in place in a timely manner to mitigate the situation,” an Airbus spokeswoman told CBS News. “The A220 fleet’s airworthiness remains intact.”
Sources familiar with the situation revealed that corrosion has been detected on passenger seat fittings and certain wing components, including the wing-to-body fairing. This component reduces drag where the wing connects to the aircraft body, serving as an aerodynamic cover rather than a structural element.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledged awareness of the issue in a brief statement to CBS News: “The FAA is aware of the issue and is ensuring airlines address it.”
Photo: PATRICK DESROCHERS | Delta New HubDelta Air Lines (DL), which operates the world’s largest A220 fleet, confirmed finding corrosion on some passenger seat fittings requiring additional inspection and lubrication. The Atlanta-based carrier emphasized that the issue has not disrupted scheduled A220 flights or caused cancellations.
“Delta has a sophisticated aircraft maintenance apparatus that is always-on and has many layers to ensure that every aircraft in our fleet is safe to fly by meeting or exceeding standards governed by our regulators,” a company spokesman stated. “There is broad consensus by our technical experts that these issues aren’t surprising especially for a new, clean-sheet aircraft and pose no major concerns.”
Delta noted that while some A220 operators have discovered corrosion in the wing-to-body fairing structure, its maintenance teams have not identified similar issues within their fleet.
Photo: AirbusMultiple Airlines Affected
JetBlue (B6) and Breeze Airways (MX) operate dozens of A220 aircraft alongside numerous international carriers including Air Canada (AC), Air France (AF), and Swiss Air (LX).
“We are aware that some areas of the A220 have experienced corrosion and are proactively taking measures to mitigate these concerns,” a Breeze spokesman told CBS News. “The safety of our Guests is our first priority, which is why Breeze performs regular maintenance inspections on all of its aircraft to ensure airworthiness.”
JetBlue confirmed its involvement in addressing the issue. “All JetBlue aircraft are regularly inspected and maintained to ensure their safety and reliability. JetBlue is working closely with Airbus to proactively address corrosion on certain areas of some A220 aircraft. This does not impact the reliability of our A220 fleet,” a spokesperson told CBS News.
The A220 previously faced a 2021 airworthiness directive targeting corrosion and wear in wing slat tracks caused by insufficient grease application during production. The directive mandated additional inspections to monitor grease levels on these components.
Sources informed CBS News that the current issues extend beyond those addressed in the 2021 Transport Canada order.
The aircraft was originally developed as the Bombardier C-series before Airbus acquired the program due to Bombardier’s financial challenges. A220 production occurs in facilities located in Quebec and Mobile, Alabama.
Designed to accommodate between 100 and 150 passengers with five-seat rows, the A220 serves as a replacement for larger regional jets including the Embraer 190 and aging Boeing 717 aircraft.
Canadian regulators initially certified the aircraft due to its development origin in Canada. While the FAA and European Union Aviation Safety Agency validated this certification, they would not typically lead investigations into issues of this nature.
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