Confusion about Titanium: Fake Origin Certificates in Supply Chains of Boeing and Airbus

The aviation industry is in turmoil: In recent years, titanium with falsified provenance documents has entered the supply chains of major aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus. Both companies stated on Friday that despite these incidents, all aircraft could continue to operate safely. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it is currently investigating the extent and possible impact of this issue. The announcement was triggered by a report from the "New York Times" on Friday, which described that between 2019 and 2023, aircraft were built with parts made from the questionable titanium. According to the newspaper, which cited anonymous sources, models such as the Boeing 737 Max and the 787 Dreamliner were affected, while Airbus was impacted with its A220 models. The exact number of affected aircraft and the associated airlines remain unclear. Supplier Spirit Aerosystems, responsible for the fuselage and wings of some Boeing and Airbus models, stated that all problematic parts had been removed in production. A spokesperson emphasized that over 1000 tests had been conducted, confirming the mechanical and metallurgical properties of the material. Airbus also highlighted that extensive checks confirmed the airworthiness of the A220 models. Boeing clarified that the tests prove the correct titanium alloy was used. Additionally, in undelivered aircraft, affected parts are being gradually replaced to meet standards. However, it was emphasized that very few parts are affected and that the majority of the titanium is sourced directly from the company. According to the "New York Times," the issue originated when a Turkish supplier acquired a batch of titanium from a little-known Chinese company in 2019. From there, the material made its way into parts supplied to Spirit and ultimately to Boeing and Airbus. In December 2023, the material was identified as unusual by an Italian company, and the provenance certificates were found to be falsified. The exact origin of the titanium remains unresolved. However, the aviation industry emphasizes that all safety procedures are based on thoroughly documenting the origin and processing of each component.