Airbus shares fell sharply on Monday after reports surfaced of a new industrial quality issue affecting fuselage panels on several dozen A320-family aircraft.
The development comes at a critical moment for the world’s largest planemaker, which is racing to meet aggressive year-end delivery targets while still managing disruptions from a major software recall over the weekend.
Paris-listed shares of Airbus slid more than 9% in early trading, placing the stock at the bottom of the Stoxx 600 index.
According to LSEG data, the drop put the company on track for its biggest one-day decline since June last year.
New fuselage panel defect delays deliveries
The latest concern relates to suspected flaws in fuselage panels on dozens of A320-family jets.
Reuters, citing unnamed industry sources, reported that the defect appears to be affecting aircraft still in production rather than jets currently in service.
The source-based accounts suggest that the origin of the issue has not yet been identified and that some deliveries are already being affected.
No immediate timeline has been provided regarding the duration or scale of the impact.
The problem emerged as Airbus pushes to accelerate output during peak delivery season, creating fresh uncertainty around its ability to meet full-year goals.
Airbus delivered 72 jets in November, bringing total deliveries so far this year to 657.
To meet its stated target of approximately 820 deliveries for 2025, the manufacturer would need to hand over more than 160 aircraft in December alone, a level well above the current monthly record of 138, set in 2019.
Software glitch adds pressure during peak travel
The production issue follows closely after a weekend software malfunction affecting Thales-made Elevator Aileron Computers (ELAC), which temporarily grounded around 6,000 A320-family aircraft.
The glitch, linked to solar radiation, disrupted flights during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, particularly impacting Asia’s short-haul networks.
Citi analysts estimate that software rollbacks could cost €2.5-7.5 million, while potential hardware replacements may add €50-100 million, depending on the number of aircraft ultimately affected.
Morgan Stanley noted that up to 900 older A320 jets could require component changes if the issue expands, though responsibility for costs between Airbus and supplier Thales remains unclear.
Thales shares slipped nearly 3% following the news.
Despite operational setbacks, some analysts expect the financial hit to remain relatively manageable.
RBC suggested that the company’s mid-term outlook and production schedule appear largely intact at this stage.
Delivery target within reach, but risk grows
Analysts remain divided on Airbus’ ability to meet its annual aircraft delivery objective — a key driver of revenue and cash flow.
Jefferies analyst Chloe Lemarie recorded November deliveries slightly below her forecast but said the full-year goal was still achievable as production trends continue improving.
Rob Morris, an independent aviation analyst, projected Airbus could still complete around 800 deliveries this year, though with rising risk tied to recent disruptions.
Depending on the interpretation of guidance language, he noted, even a slightly lower total could be considered a partial success.
With two operational challenges now converging in the final month of the year, Airbus faces heightened scrutiny from investors and airlines alike.
The coming weeks will determine whether the company can maintain momentum — or whether technical setbacks will force its delivery ambitions out of reach.
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