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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a new airworthiness directive covering certain Airbus A220-100 and Airbus A220-300 aircraft operated in the United States, including aircraft flown by 
Delta Air Lines, Breeze Airways, and JetBlue. This proposal would require inspections of motive-flow flexible fuel lines because an incorrectly installed hose can twist, potentially causing abrasion and a fuel leak. The FAA says the affected condition could create a fire risk because electrical harness connectors are located close to the fuel line. You can read the complete FAA’s proposed rule here.
The proposal is not a grounding order and is not yet a final FAA rule. Instead, it would supersede an existing 2021 directive while expanding its applicability to four additional aircraft, bringing the estimated number of affected US-registered A220s to 13. Operators would be required to visually inspect the relevant fuel-line assemblies and replace damaged components if necessary, with comments on the proposal due by October 19, 2026.
FAA Targets A220 Fuel Hose Installation Issue
The FAA’s proposed action concerns the motive-flow flexible fuel line assemblies located around the wing and pylon area of certain A220s. According to the regulator, a production configuration change was introduced without a corresponding modification to the installation procedure, creating the possibility that the flexible hose could be installed twisted. Over time, that twist could cause the hose to rub against its protective shroud, eventually leading to abrasion.
The potential consequence is more significant than a simple maintenance defect. If the fuel line is damaged, it could leak fuel near electrical harness connectors, which the FAA identifies as a potential ignition source. The FAA therefore considers the condition an unsafe condition that could present a fire risk if it is not corrected, although the proposed directive is fundamentally a preventive maintenance action rather than a response to an accident.
The FAA estimates that 13 US-registered aircraft would be affected, including nine aircraft already covered by the previous directive and four additional aircraft identified through the updated Canadian airworthiness action. The inspection itself is estimated at 10 labor hours, or approximately $850 per aircraft at the FAA’s standard labor rate, while a necessary replacement could cost about $10,005 per pylon.
Simple Flying reached out to Delta for a statement regarding the inspection:
At Delta, we fully comply with directives from our regulators as nothing is more important than safety.
Transport Canada Already Addressed The Problem
The FAA’s proposal follows Transport Canada’s Airworthiness Directive CF-2025-47, issued in September 2025 That directive superseded an earlier 2021 Canadian order and expanded the applicability after regulators determined that four additional A220s had not correctly received a new production installation procedure. The Canadian directive covers both the A220-100 and A220-300, formally designated BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 under the aircraft’s original C Series type-certificate structure.
The Canadian requirements call for a general visual inspection of the left and right motive-flow flexible fuel-line assemblies, including their flexible hoses and shrouds. If damage or permanent deformation is found, affected assemblies must be replaced; the procedures also cover cleaning, lubrication, and proper torque of the relevant components. The FAA proposal incorporates the Canadian directive by reference, while making specific US exceptions to its wording.
The scale of the US action is relatively small compared with the A220 fleet. Airbus’ A220 facts and figures show the type had passed 500 deliveries by March 2026, while Airbus‘ current A220 information lists more than 500 aircraft delivered and 25 operators worldwide. Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and Breeze Airways are among the A220’s established operators in the USA.
A Small Inspection For A Growing US A220 Fleet
The proposed directive comes as the A220 continues to become an important part of US airline fleets. Airbus’ June 2026 customer data lists 145 A220s on firm order for Delta Air Lines, 100 for JetBlue, and 90 for Breeze Airways, illustrating the type’s importance in the US market. Delta’s order book includes both A220-100s and A220-300s, while Breeze has based a substantial part of its network strategy around the larger A220-300.
For passengers, the proposed action should have limited operational consequences because the FAA is targeting only a small group of aircraft, not the entire A220 fleet. The regulator’s cost analysis also indicates the inspection is relatively straightforward, while replacement would be necessary only if damage or deformation is discovered. The FAA has not proposed a fleet-wide grounding or an immediate withdrawal of the A220 from service.
The proposal nevertheless demonstrates why seemingly minor installation issues can remain relevant years after an aircraft enters service. The original FAA directive dates to 2021, while Transport Canada’s updated action followed the discovery that four additional aircraft had been affected despite changes to the production installation procedure. The FAA is now seeking public comments before deciding whether to adopt the proposed requirements as a final airworthiness directive.
