Delta replacing A320 APUs over toxic‑fume risk
Delta Air Lines told CBS News it is replacing auxiliary power units (APUs) on more than 300 Airbus A320‑family aircraft to stop incidents in which turbine oils or engine fumes leak into cabin air and cause health problems. The program began in 2022 and is reported as more than 90% complete; occupational‑medicine experts say exposure can damage the nervous system and flight crews have raised safety concerns for years. Other U.S. carriers — including United and Frontier — described proactive maintenance or said incidents are rare, and Delta is also evaluating synthetic turbine oils.
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Delta is replacing engines on Airbus aircraft to address toxic-fume issue
New information:
- Delta is replacing APUs on more than 300 Airbus A320‑family aircraft.
- The replacement initiative began in 2022 and is reported to be over 90% complete.
- Dr. Robert Harrison (UCSF) says he has treated more than 100 flight crew members for exposure; a flight attendant recounted a 2016 incident.
- United and Frontier officials told CBS News they track maintenance and view the issue as rare or mitigatable; Delta is exploring new synthetic turbine oils.