LONDON- British Airways (BA) was forced to keep an Airbus A350-1000 on the ground in Barbados for nine days after a ground-handling vehicle damaged the aircraft shortly after it arrived at Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI).
The incident involved an ambulift striking the aircraft and puncturing part of its composite belly fairing.
British Airways A350 Damaged At Barbados
The affected aircraft, registered G-XWBK, had operated British Airways flight BA255 from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Bridgetown on August 18, 2026.
Flight-tracking data confirms that the A350-1000 arrived in Barbados that afternoon, but it did not return to service until August 27 after repairs were completed. G-XWBK landed at Bridgetown at around 2:47 p.m. local time after completing the transatlantic flight from London.
It was scheduled to operate the return BA254 service to Heathrow later that afternoon, but the aircraft remained on the ground after sustaining damage during ground operations.
A GCG Group ambulift reportedly struck the right-hand side of the A350-1000 near the R2 passenger door.
The impact appears to have caused a puncture in the composite belly fairing, leaving the aircraft unavailable for its planned return flight.
The belly fairing forms part of the aerodynamic structure underneath the aircraft’s center fuselage, around the area where the wings connect to the fuselage.
It also covers equipment and systems associated with the center wing box, landing gear, hydraulics, electrical systems and air conditioning.
Repairs Kept BA’s Jet Grounded
Although damage to an external fairing does not necessarily indicate structural damage to the aircraft’s pressure fuselage, maintenance teams must inspect the area carefully before releasing the aircraft.
Components and supporting structures positioned behind the fairing can also require inspection following an impact.
The A350’s extensive use of composite materials can make repairs more specialized, particularly when damage affects carbon-fiber reinforced components.
British Airways therefore kept the aircraft out of service while technicians assessed the damage and carried out the necessary repairs.
The incident also disrupted the scheduled BA254 service to London. Passengers were accommodated overnight, while British Airways arranged a replacement A350-1000, G-XWBO, to operate the service the following day.
G-XWBK Returns To London
After nine days in Barbados, the repaired aircraft was cleared to leave Grantley Adams International Airport. G-XWBK departed at 8:54 a.m. local time on August 27 as BA9606, a special flight bound for London Heathrow.
The aircraft subsequently returned to British Airways’ network after the ferry flight, bringing the extended disruption to an end.
The incident is now subject to an investigation involving British Airways and GCG Group to establish how the ground vehicle came into contact with the aircraft, Gate Check flagged.
The A350-1000 had been temporarily deployed on the London-Barbados route during July and August, replacing the Boeing 777-200ER that normally operates the service.
The grounding consequently removed one of British Airways’ long-haul aircraft from service for more than a week following what began as a ground-handling incident.
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