Airbus(US:EADSY) Guan Cha Zhe Wang·2025-12-01 15:05Core Viewpoint - Airbus is facing significant challenges due to quality issues with its A320 series aircraft, leading to delivery delays and a notable drop in stock price, while also dealing with software vulnerabilities that could impact operational safety [1][3][4]. Group 1: Quality Issues - Reports indicate that several A320 series aircraft have quality problems related to metal panels, causing delivery delays for some planes [1][3]. - Airbus confirmed the existence of a supplier quality issue affecting a limited number of A320 metal panels and is conducting thorough checks on potentially affected aircraft [3]. - The company delivered 72 aircraft in November, which was below analyst expectations, resulting in a total of 657 aircraft delivered in the first 11 months of the year, against a target of approximately 820 for the entire year [1]. Group 2: Stock Market Impact - Following the news of the quality issues, Airbus's stock price dropped nearly 11% on December 1, marking the largest intraday decline since April 7 of the same year [1][3]. - Analysts are divided on whether Airbus can meet its delivery targets, which are crucial for revenue and cash flow, as airlines typically pay a significant portion upon delivery [3]. Group 3: Software Vulnerabilities - Airbus is also addressing software vulnerabilities that could affect the flight control systems of the A320 series, with a recent incident prompting the need for software updates on approximately 6,000 aircraft globally [4]. - The incident involved a flight that experienced a sudden altitude drop due to flight control issues, leading to injuries among passengers and an investigation by the FAA [4].