Airbus hopes for ‘amicable solution’ in Qatar plane dispute
Airbus hopes to reach an amicable solution in a row with Qatar Airways over damage to the surface of A350 passenger jets, Chief Executive Guillaume Faury said on Thursday.
The two companies have been locked in a months-long dispute over paint erosion and deterioration to anti-lightning protection on the long-haul jets, which Airbus has acknowledged need attention while insisting the problems do not put safety at risk.
Qatar Airways has sued Airbus for more than $600 million and is refusing to take delivery of further A350s until its regulator receives formal analysis of the problem.
Airbus, which has said Qatar Airways mischaracterised the flaws and misinterpreted the contract, has revoked contracts for two of the jets and a separate Qatar order for 50 of the planemaker’s A321neo jets.
