Catching Up

Airbus has been struggling to deliver its new planes on time this year, through no fault of its own. Issues with engines and cabin fittings have had the company’s executives tearing their hair out having to tell frustrated customers their new jets won’t be arriving on time. Finally, the problems appear to be on the way to resolution

Delays in deliveries of Pratt & Whitney PW1100G GTF (Geared Turbo Fan) engines for Airbus’ new A320neo are likely to continue for another twelve months, according to the European planemaker’s chief operating officer customers, John Leahy. But problems with Buyer-Furnished-Equipment (BFE) suppliers which have caused delays in production of the new generation A350XWB “are getting back under control”, he added.

An issue with the engines caused a serious backlog of neo deliveries over the past year with Airbus complaining it essentially had rows of “gliders” sitting on the ground at the assembly plant in Hamburg. At the same time about half a dozen suppliers of cabin equipment, including seats and toilets, were experiencing difficulties in meeting demand and keeping up with the production schedule. One of the major problems was with Zodiac Aerospace, which had well-documented issues delivering seats.