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2 February, 2023

Qatar and Airbus reach confidential agreement over A350 safety concerns

Qatar Airways and Airbus have reached an “amicable and mutually agreeable settlement” in relation to their legal dispute over A350 surface degradation and the grounding of Qatar’s A350 aircraft.

In a brief statement, Qatar confirmed a repair project is now underway.

The details of the settlement are confidential and both Airbus and Qatar will discontinue their legal claims as a result.

As part of the settlement agreement, neither party admitted any liability.

Airbus released a near identical statement relating to the agreement.

Airbus will reinstate Qatar’s orders for 50 A321 single-aisle aircraft, a deal that was taken off the table during the dispute.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR1SLgc2X3o[/youtube]

Qatar will also receive the remaining 23 Airbus A350 aircraft which had been held back.

In February 2018, Qatar Airways grounded more than half of its A350 fleet and launched legal action seeking $2 billion in compensation.

Qatar claimed the paint used on the A500s was flaking, which was exposing parts of the aircraft such as rivets and copper material designed to shield the aircraft from lightning strikes to the elements.

In a very public tit-for-tat dispute, Qatar then refused to take delivery of its remaining A350 aircraft. Airbus cancelled the airline’s order for the new A321s in response.

Paint damage as shown in photo released by Qatar

The dispute was a major risk for both companies, but perhaps more so for Airbus. Emirates, Qatar, and Etihad Airways are three of its largest customers.

Qatar even took the rare move of releasing images of the damage it claimed was due to the paint used on the aircraft.

Air France, Cathay Pacific, Etihad and Lufthansa also complained of paint damage to their A350 fleet. However, they labelled the damage to their aircraft as cosmetic.

Qatar and Airbus say they will be working together to get the airline’s A350 fleet back in the air as soon as possible.

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