Airbus investigates corrosion issue in some A220 jets including US operators

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Airbus investigates corrosion issue in some A220 jets including US operators

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Airbus A220 | Wikipedia

By Sky Industry News

Mar 14, 2025

Airbus has announced an investigation into corrosion issues affecting its A220 jets, including some operated by U.S. carriers. The European manufacturing conglomerate emphasized that the problem is confined to a "limited population" of aircraft and does not pose an immediate safety concern.

According to CBS News, corrosion has been detected on passenger seat bindings and wing components, specifically the wing-to-body fairing. This component, designed to minimize drag where the wing meets the body of the aircraft, does not serve a structural function.

Airbus has moved swiftly to address concerns, notifying the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the issue. "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," said Airbus in a statement. "The A220 fleet's airworthiness remains intact. "

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Delta Air Lines, the world's largest operator of the Airbus A220, has observed corrosion on multiple models requiring treatment with additional lubricating chemicals. The airline stated that this issue has not affected flight schedules or led to any cancellations.

Delta assured that its sophisticated aircraft maintenance team is prepared to handle such issues. "Our technical experts think that these kinds of issues are not inherently surprising for new, clean-sheet aircraft," said a Delta representative.

Other U.S.-based carriers like JetBlue and Breeze Airways also operate dozens of A220 jets and have acknowledged awareness of the corrosion issue. Both airlines emphasized their commitment to safety and reported no impact on their fleets' reliability.

Globally, other operators of the Airbus A220 include Air Canada, Air Baltic, SWISS, and Air France.

Industry experts note that it is not uncommon for newly-built aircraft to face corrosion-related issues on non-structural components designed with new materials. Despite initial concerns, all parties involved affirm that this development will not affect operational safety or reliability.