Raccoons Disrupt Airbus Assembly Operations in Canada
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Photo courtesy of Ford
MONTREAL—Airbus faced a peculiar disruption recently when a family of raccoons infiltrated its A220 assembly plant near Montreal. According to sources familiar with the matter, five baby raccoons were discovered inside the factory after their mother was seen climbing the landing gear of a jet destined for a European airline.
“One worker came face to face with a raccoon inside the aircraft,” one factory employee said. Another source confirmed that the animals caused some damage, including chewed wires and urine contamination.
The raccoon intrusion forced Airbus to temporarily reassign workers from the already overstretched assembly line to quarantine and inspect the affected jet. The time-consuming process involved reopening parts of the aircraft to assess any further damage.
Airbus confirmed the presence of the raccoons but declined to comment on whether the incident led to production delays. “The aircraft is continuing through its assembly process,” a spokesperson said. “We’ve implemented measures to ensure safety and quality.”
While the raccoon visit is considered a one-off disruption, it highlights the unpredictable challenges Airbus faces as it attempts to ramp up output. The manufacturer recently warned customers of potential delivery delays stretching up to three more years due to ongoing supply chain issues, including late-arriving components, missing engines, and delayed cabin interiors.
As for the furry trespassers, Airbus said the animals were safely relocated.
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