Paint shop mishap damages BA's latest A350-1000

Airbus is undertaking repairs to a BA Airbus A350-1000 after the twinjet was damaged during the final stages of the production process. The aircraft suffered an "incident", the airframer confirms, although it has not disclosed the nature of the event or the location of the damage. Airbus says it is "working with the customer" with the aim of delivering the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered aircraft in December. The A350-1000 was reportedly parked in a paint shop and sustained surface damage from one of the many pieces of equipment that surround the aircraft in such facilities. "Airbus has assured us that the aircraft will be fully repaired and delivered shortly," says BA, without elaborating. Although the carrier has not identified the aircraft involved, BA had been expecting to receive four A350-1000s this year. Two have already been delivered and a third is already painted and undergoing flight tests, suggesting that the fourth – to be registered G-XWBD – is the one affected. BA has 18 A350-1000s on order, which will be delivered over 2019-22.<br/>