In a recent development on Tuesday, the head of renowned airplane service Qatar Airways had alleged plane-manufacturer Airbus on portraying bullish behavior on the billion dollar dispute over peeling of paint in an airplane.
Over the past few months, both Qatar Airways and Airbus have been fighting a lawsuit in court over the bulging issue of the pain problem that the Qatar Airways’ 23 A1350 jet have grounded. Akbar Al Baker, the Qatar Airways chief executive said at the International Air Transport Association annual general meeting in Doha that “If things were settled, we wouldn’t be still waiting for the trial to happen next year.” He further added, “A manufacturer must never be allowed to use their market dominance to bully their long-standing customer.”
Both the sides have been reiterating that they wish to come to terms by a negotiated settlement after the last hearing held in May 2022. The London based court has consumed quite some time to come up to a decision and now the trial is about to speed up by schedule.
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In the lawsuit registered against Airbus, Qatar Airways have set forth a demand of $1 billion for the internal damages over the peeling paintwork that is acting as a threat to A350’s lightning conductor. Back in 2021, the airline had grounded some parts of its fleet (flights A350s) and then put a demand of $200,000 per day for damages of each plane in action.
As a response to Qatar Airlines’ claim, Airbus cancelled an order which was worth $6 billion for 50 A321s from Qatar Airways which is the second biggest carrier of the Middle East region. Reiterating with the media, Airbus officials told AFP, “The best solution is a negotiated one and this is what Airbus is seeking
Guillaume Faury, the Chief Executive of Airbus told the media that the French manufacturer has been under discussions with the Qatar Airlines for all the time. Reiterating the same, here is what he said on Sunday: “We have this situation to resolve and it takes time. It takes time and sweat, and I’m very frustrated to be in this situation,” he said on Sunday. I don’t like to be in this situation with customers, that’s very clear, that’s why we’re trying to work out a solution moving forward. But it’s difficult.”
