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Airbus traces A321neo fuselage defect to a Naples supplier, sets a repair window

Airbus and Leonardo have traced the A321neo stringer primer defect to subcontractor TESI near Naples and given affected operators a two year window for a nine day repair.

28 September 2026

Airbus and its Italian aerostructures supplier Leonardo said on 28 September 2026 that they have traced the fuselage stringer primer defect disclosed four days earlier to TESI, a Leonardo subcontractor near Naples. Engineers from both companies are still working to establish why the anti corrosion coating on the A321neo's fuselage stringers went on with gaps at the supplier's facility. Roughly 500 aircraft are involved in total, about 250 already delivered and due for rework, and about 250 still in production to be corrected before delivery.

Reuters and Airways Magazine reported that Airbus has given operators taking delivery of an affected aircraft two years to complete the repair, rather than folding it into the usual four year check interval. The fix itself takes up to nine days, including two to three days of hands on work, and does not require removing the stringer panel from the fuselage. The longer range A321XLR, built to a different structural standard, remains unaffected. Airbus continues to call this a quality issue rather than a safety one and says affected aircraft can keep flying. No EASA or FAA Airworthiness Directive has been issued.

On the line

Operators with A321neo aircraft delivered in 2026, or due for delivery this year, should expect a manufacturer serial number list from Airbus or their MRO. Budget roughly nine days of hangar time for the stringer primer rework and schedule it inside the two year window rather than as an unscheduled visit.

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