Airbus planes need a new inspection for old rivet holes, or they can't fly

The US aviation regulator is proposing a new rule for certain Airbus A319 and A320 airplanes. It would require airlines to inspect rivet holes that were left unplugged after previous modifications, which could cause fatigue damage.

This is a small, routine safety update, but it highlights how aviation safety works. Regulators constantly find minor issues that could become major problems over time. Airlines must then perform specific inspections or repairs to keep their planes flying.