Airbus has halted A330neo production inspections after finding a tool inside the horizontal tailplane of an aircraft under construction, delaying Condor’s A330-900 with manufacturer serial number 2143. The aircraft, which has been completed and painted in Toulouse but has not flown, is now scheduled for delivery in the second half of November 2026. Airbus says there is no immediate safety risk.
Condor’s aircraft, expected to be registered D-ANRR, has been subject to additional checks at Airbus. The airline’s existing A330neo fleet is also covered by the manufacturer’s inspection measures, with checks performed during scheduled maintenance. Condor has reported no corresponding findings in its aircraft so far.
Airbus has asked operators to conduct inspections during planned maintenance while it works with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on the final procedure. The inspection window covers A330neos delivered from early 2021 through at least the end of May 2026, representing 139 aircraft, including all 18 operated by Condor.
Deliveries resumed in August and September after the production review, although the additional checks and regulatory coordination continue. Airbus is expected to present a comprehensive policy for aircraft already in service by mid-November. The exact tool, how it entered the tailplane and whether the inspections will become mandatory have not been disclosed.