PARIS, Dec 3 — Airbus announced yesterday that up to 628 of its A320 aircraft worldwide may require inspections due to a metal plate “quality issue.”
In a statement to AFP, the European manufacturer clarified that the figure represents the “total number of potentially affected aircraft” and does not mean all planes are necessarily impacted. The number of aircraft needing checks is “reducing day by day” as inspections determine which require specific action.
Airbus said the issue, identified on Monday, stems from a “supplier quality issue” but is “contained” and affects only a “limited number of A320 metal panels.” Shares dropped after the news, as quality problems with fuselage panels had already delayed some A320 deliveries.
This follows a separate incident last week, when Airbus revealed that around 6,000 A320 planes were grounded until a software upgrade could be implemented after an incident in the United States.
The A320, produced since 1988, remains the world’s best-selling aircraft, with 12,257 units sold by the end of September, slightly surpassing Boeing’s 12,254 737s. — AFP
BANGKOK, April 24 — Thailand’s Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a petition accusing 44 current and former opposition lawmakers of ethics violations over their 2021 move to amend a law protecting the monarchy from criticism, according to Thai media reports.
PUTRAJAYA, April 24 — The Court of Appeal today dismissed Kepala Batas MP Dr Siti Mastura’s appeal against a High Court ruling ordering her to pay RM825,000 in damages and costs for defaming three DAP leaders by linking them to former Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng.
THE HAGUE, April 23 — Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte will stand trial at the International Criminal Court after judges on Thursday confirmed charges of crimes against humanity over his controversial “war on drugs.”