European jet maker Airbus Group SE is locked in a dispute with U.S. regulators over the safety of lithium-ion batteries installed on its latest model, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Escalating arguments about the extent of safeguards and testing for such rechargeable batteries— reminiscent of Boeing’s not so distant Dreamliner difficulties with similar technology— come after European regulators already have approved the Airbus systems based on less-stringent requirements.
A green light from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has been pending for months, with Airbus officials expressing optimism last fall that a favorable decision was imminent. But according to people familiar with the process, continuing disagreements pitting the manufacturer against FAA technical experts have created a regulatory logjam and delayed approval.
