Airbus, the aircraft manufacturer, continues to face challenges with parts shortages and supply chain disruptions. Recently, a group of raccoons broke into an Airbus factory in Canada, adding to the company’s troubles.
According to a report by Reuters on May 30, workers at an Airbus factory near Montreal, Canada, which produces A220 aircraft, discovered five raccoon cubs. The mother of these cubs was found climbing up the landing gear of an aircraft intended for a European airline.
“A man confronted the raccoons after entering the aircraft,” a factory worker said.
Workers on the assembly line had to pause their regular tasks to embark on a more time-consuming mission: isolating the first aircraft and inspecting whether these fluffy “intruders” caused any damage. These “intruders” are known for scavenging for food in garbage bins.
Airbus later confirmed the discovery of a group of raccoons on one of the aircraft but refused to disclose whether they caused further production delays or any damages.
A spokesperson stated, “The aircraft assembly is still ongoing.” He also added that measures have been taken to ensure safety and quality.
Following this temporary incident, Airbus has accelerated production and warned airlines that aircraft deliveries might be delayed by three years due to efforts to resolve backlog supply chain issues.
Airbus mentioned recent problems such as missing engines, delayed parts deliveries, and interior delays. However, the company had few contingency plans for dealing with the crisis of raccoon infiltration.
“We had to reopen all equipment for inspection,” explained a second source.
Airbus stated that the animals have been relocated to a safe place.
In Canada, raccoon mischief is not a rare occurrence. Data from Toronto Hydro shows that in 2023, Toronto experienced 13 raccoon-induced power outages.
In February 2024, Toronto Hydro reported that a raccoon came into contact with electrical equipment, causing chaos, dying on-site, and resulting in a widespread power outage in downtown Toronto. That night, over seven thousand homes lost power, elevators in high-rise buildings stopped, and some of the busiest intersections had no traffic signals.