Airbus Identifies Quality Issues in A320 Jet Panels While Managing Previous Flight Control Concerns

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus confirmed on Monday the identification of a "quality issue" affecting metal panels on their best-selling A320 passenger jets, though they emphasized the problem was "contained."

"Airbus confirms it has identified a supplier quality issue affecting a limited number of A320 metal panels," an Airbus spokeswoman stated to AFP, validating earlier media reports on the matter.

The company representative further explained, "Airbus is taking a conservative approach and is inspecting all aircraft potentially impacted -- knowing that only a portion of them will need further action to be taken."

She reassured that "The source of the issue has been identified, contained and all newly produced panels conform to all requirements."

Following media reports about quality problems with fuselage panels causing delivery delays of its popular A320 aircraft, Airbus shares plummeted more than 10 percent on Monday in Paris trading. By approximately 1200 GMT, shares had fallen 10.24 percent while the broader Paris market showed only a slight decline. The stock subsequently recovered some losses.

This new issue emerges just after a separate incident where Airbus announced last week that roughly 6,000 A320 planes would require a software upgrade before returning to service following an incident in the United States. The company clarified on Monday that fewer than 100 aircraft remained grounded.

The previous incident occurred on October 30, when a JetBlue A320 experienced an in-flight control issue attributed to a computer malfunction apparently caused by solar radiation affecting the equipment. The aircraft suddenly nosedived during its journey between Cancun, Mexico and Newark, United States, forcing pilots to make an emergency landing in Tampa, Florida.

Analysts at Deutsche Bank noted that Airbus maintaining its annual aircraft delivery guidance suggested the software update impact was either still being evaluated or had been effectively contained.

The A320, in production since 1988, remains the world's most successful commercial aircraft. By the end of September, Airbus had sold 12,257 A320s, narrowly surpassing Boeing's 737 sales of 12,254 units.