Airbus seeks damages for $220 million in jet dispute with Qatar Airways

Airbus reacted on Monday (28) to an increasingly intense dispute with Qatar Airways over the A350 jets, asking in the British court for compensation of US$ 220 million (R$ 1.13 billion) for two planes that did not were delivered.

The claim comes after the airline sued Airbus for $600 million over degradation of more than 20 jets recently decommissioned by Qatar.

Airbus also wants to recover millions of dollars in credits granted to the airline, according to a court filing, offering a rare glimpse into negotiating details in the secretive global aircraft industry.

The counter-offensive is the latest stage in a months-long security and contract dispute that has strained ties between Qatar and one of France’s biggest companies as the country prepares for a massive influx of visitors at the World Cup.

Once making headlines as they signed multibillion-dollar deals at air shows, the two sides are now locked in an unprecedented public dispute over the erosion of the painted surface and the lightning protection of the Airbus A350 plane.

Qatar Airways said the surface degradation raises unanswered questions about the safety of the jets, prompting its regulator to ground aircraft as the problem emerges.

Airbus reiterated that the planes are safe because of the margins built into the lightning strike system and accused the airline of instigating the regulator’s decision.

Qatar Airways had no comment. Qatar’s aviation authority also did not respond to a request for a statement.

The dispute dates back to November 2020, when Qatar Airways sent one of its big A350s to be repainted with a special livery for the FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the Gulf nation this year.

This led to the discovery of more than 900 surface faults and damage to the lightning protection mesh, according to Qatar Airways.

The two sides later agreed to a compensation clause that rose to $206,500 per plane per day.

But they disagree whether the clause was activated and, even if it was, whether it applies to the rest of the grounded fleet.

economic interest

Airbus acknowledged broader quality issues on the A350 after a Reuters investigation in November revealed that at least five other airlines reported similar issues.

But it only accused Qatar Airways of misinterpreting them as security issues.

The document delivered on Monday said it was in the best interest of the airline, which launched the A350 program as its biggest customer, to keep the planes on the ground and seek compensation from Airbus because of lower demand for long-haul travel in the wake of the pandemic. .

Qatar Airways said the country’s regulatory agency is strictly independent and that it needs the planes to fly during the World Cup, forcing it to incur new expenses for leasing replacement aircraft or returning newly-built Airbus A380s to service. -disabled.

The airline is loss-making, but since the beginning of the pandemic it has received $3 billion in aid from the state of Qatar, one of the richest countries in the world.

European regulators say that despite its scaly appearance, the aircraft’s coating issues do not pose an airworthiness issue for the A350, which is not precluded from flying anywhere else.

Qatar Airways confirmed on Monday that one more of its A350s has been grounded, bringing the total number idle to 22.

Reuters reported on the move on Friday, as Qatar sought to impose a separate contract between Airbus and the same carrier for on-demand A321neo jets.

The two sides also clashed over the chances of a truce.

An Airbus spokesperson said Monday’s counter-argument was a “last resort and followed many unsuccessful attempts to find mutually beneficial solutions”.

Qatar Airways had previously said it was not aware of “any effort by Airbus to try to resolve the situation amicably”.

Translated by Luiz Roberto M. Gonçalves