Airbus has cancelled a $6 billion contract with Qatar Airways for 50 of its new A321neo passenger jets, escalating a legal battle between the two companies over paint on the recently delivered A350s. The dispute has led to the grounding of 21 planes out of 53 A350s operated by Qatar Airways
In December, Qatar Airways took Airbus to court following a series of alleged problems with the Airbus A350 aircraft. The airline complained the paint on the recently delivered Airbus A350s was cracking and peeling, exposing copper meshing used to insulate the aircraft against lightning strike.
The airline is thus seeking more than $600 million in compensation after grounding the affected aircraft – 21 of its 53 A350 jets – claiming the paint issue is a safety risk.
However, The European Union Aviation Safety Agency independently assessed the issue and found no safety concerns, with Airbus now accusing Qatar Airways of instigating the grounding as it was in its own financial interest to keep the aircraft on the ground in light of the coronavirus pandemic collapse in demand for air travel.
The two companies have been locked for months in a dispute over deterioration to paint and anti-lightning protection on the long-haul jets, which Airbus has acknowledged needs attention while insisting it does not put safety at risk.
Qatar Airways is pressing for compensation of $618 million plus $4 million a day and halted taking new A350 deliveries.
See Also:
