The proposal to issue an airworthiness directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) comes as numerous airlines have reported similar issues on the same aircraft since 2016, revealed in a private messaging board last week.
The decision comes as China was the last key global market to re-introduce the jet to its nation, following hefty safety assessments over the past year.
It carried 500 gallons of SAF and the same amount of common jet fuel in the other engine to prove there are “no operational differences,” according to the Chicago-based carrier.
China Airlines received the jet from lesser Air Lease Corporation, and is slated to acquire 25 A321neo aircraft in the future – 11 ordered from Airbus and 14 under lease agreements.
According to a private maintenance messaging board used by operators of the aircraft seen by Reuters, at least five other carriers have experienced similar cosmetic damage.
South Africa’s President urges nations to lift border closures amid the new variant being spread, claiming it an “unjustified” response in fears its recovering economy will be further damaged.
