Airbus addresses surface coating defect in A321 neo aircraft

Airbus has pinpointed the source of a surface coating defect in A321 neo fuselage stringers, bringing the production issue under control, the company said in a statement. The problem affected certain components on the narrow-body aircraft, which is widely operated by Indian carriers including budget airline IndiGo.

The aircraft manufacturer confirmed that all newly coated stringers now conform to all required specifications following implementation of corrective measures. A remedy for the identified coating issue has been developed and deployed across production lines.

IndiGo operates a significant fleet of A321 neo aircraft as part of its expansion strategy. The issue appears limited to a specific batch of components, with Airbus confirming that production has proceeded with corrected processes.

The A321 neo remains one of the most popular aircraft for airlines operating in South Asia, offering enhanced fuel efficiency and extended range compared to earlier variants. Airbus has not disclosed how many aircraft were potentially affected by the coating defect or provided details on inspection protocols for existing aircraft in service.