Airbus confirms ‘plan B’ for A350 batteries
Airbus has confirmed that it is studying the possibility of switching the batteries in its new A350 aircraft, in light of recent problems with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The European planemaker said that while it remains “confident” that the lithium-ion (li-ion) battery is safe, it has activated “plan B”, which would see the aircraft revert to the standard nickel-cadmium batteries.
“To date, the root causes of the two recent industry li-ion main batteries incidents remain unexplained to the best of our knowledge. In this context, and with a view to ensuring the highest level of programme certainty, Airbus has decided to activate its plan B, and therefore to revert back to the proven and mastered nickel cadmium main batteries for its A350 XWB programme,” Airbus said in a statement.
It added however, that it does not expect the switch to delay the A350’s entry into service, which is still due to commence in the second half of 2014.
Overheating li-ion batteries in several B787s, including those operated by Japan Airlines and ANA, have forced the grounding of the entire global fleet of 50 Dreamliner aircraft, with new deliveries also suspended.