Airbus has announced it is dropping plans to use lithium ion batteries in its forthcoming A350 XWB aircraft, following continuing uncertainty over the battery issues with Boeing Dreamliner aircraft.
All 50 B787 Dreamliners currently in service have been grounded while tests are carried out on onboard batteries, following recent incidents on ANA and JAL Dreamliner aircraft.
Airbus said that as “to date, the root causes of the two recent industry Li-ion main batteries incidents remain unexplained to the best of our knowledge”, it has taken the decision to revert to “proven and mastered nickel cadmium main batteries for its A350 XWB programme at Entry into Service”.
The manufacturer stressed that it is “confident that the lithium ion (Li-ion) main battery architecture it has been developing with Saft and qualifying for the A350 XWB aircraft is robust and safe”, adding that it will continue to use the battery for it A350 XWB test flight programme.
But Airbus said that it has activated “Plan B” in regards to battery choice for delivery aircraft “with a view to ensuring the highest level of programme certainty”.
The manufacturer said that “As a result of making this decision now, Airbus does not expect it to impact the A350 XWB Entry Into Service schedule”.
Qatar Airways – one of the carriers affected by the grounding of the Boeing Dreamliner – is the launch customer for the Airbus A350 XWB, which is currently scheduled to enter service in 2014.
For more information visit airbus.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
