Airbus faces further delays on the A350: industrial problems worry airlines

Airbus has warned some of its customers of further delays in A350 deliveries, fueling concerns about the supply chain of the European group's flagship long-haul program.

According to several industry sources cited by Reuters, these delays are primarily due to ongoing difficulties at the former Spirit AeroSystems plant in Kinston, North Carolina. The site, recently acquired by Airbus, produces essential composite fuselage components for the A350.

The disruptions primarily affect the supply of composite panels for the upper fuselage and carbon fiber spars for the aircraft's wings. Difficulties are also reportedly impacting the cargo doors manufactured in Spain for the future A350 Freighter, the aircraft's cargo version.

Airbus declined to comment on the delivery schedules mentioned by industry sources. However, the manufacturer confirmed that the first flight of the A350 Freighter, scheduled for this year, and its first delivery in 2027 remain on track at this stage.

The European group acquired the Kinston plant last year as part of the dismantling of Spirit AeroSystems' operations. Other facilities belonging to the equipment manufacturer were also taken over by Boeing. However, according to several industry players, the industrial transition has been complicated by staffing problems and the departure of employees to the operations that remained under Boeing's control.

"The transition has not been without its challenges," a senior source in the aviation industry told Reuters. These difficulties come as the global aviation industry continues to experience supply chain strains since the pandemic.

The A350 represents a major strategic program for Airbus in the long-haul aircraft market. Any further delays could affect customer airlines, which are already facing extended delivery times across the global aviation industry.