FAA Tightens Safety Checks on Airbus A330 and A340 Jets
Published Date: 2/25/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA is updating safety rules for certain Airbus A330 and A340 airplanes to keep them flying safely. This means airlines must follow new, stricter maintenance checks to catch problems early. Comments on these changes are open until April 13, 2026, and while this may cost some time and money, it’s all about keeping passengers safe in the skies!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Required maintenance program revisions
If you operate the listed Airbus A330 airplanes certificated on or before October 1, 2024, you must revise your maintenance or inspection program to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations from EASA AD 2025-0057 and EASA AD 2024-0014. The proposed AD requires completing that revision within 90 days after the effective date of this AD and retains certain prior AD requirements.
Estimated per‑operator compliance costs
The FAA estimates this proposed AD would affect 145 U.S.-registered airplanes. The agency estimates the retained actions from AD 2024-25-11 will cost each operator 90 work-hours (90 x $85/hr = $7,650) and estimates the new proposed actions will also cost each operator 90 work-hours (90 x $85/hr = $7,650).
Who must comply and who is excluded
This proposed AD applies to the listed Airbus A330 models with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before October 1, 2024. Airplanes certificated after October 1, 2024 are not included in this proposed AD; no Model A340 airplanes are currently on the U.S. registry, but an importer of an A340 would be required to show compliance with the listed EASA AD as specified in the RAAL.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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