Airbus Finds A320 Panel Issue, Inspects Jets and Delays Some

Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer, announced on Monday that it had identified a supplier quality issue affecting metal panels on a limited number of its A320 family jets, prompting inspections of potentially impacted aircraft and contributing to delays in some deliveries.

The problem involves fuselage panels supplied to Airbus, which the company described as contained. "Airbus confirms it has identified a supplier quality issue affecting a limited number of A320 metal panels," a company spokesperson said in an emailed statement. The spokesperson added that the source of the issue has been pinpointed and resolved, with all newly produced panels now meeting requirements. Airbus is adopting a conservative approach by inspecting every aircraft that could be affected, though only a portion are expected to require additional work. The company did not name the supplier, noting that it relies on both internal and external sources for aerostructures.

The disclosure exacerbated concerns for Airbus, which is racing to meet ambitious delivery targets amid other recent challenges. Shares in the company dropped as much as 10 percent in Paris trading on Monday before closing 5.8...