Airbus Fires Back at Qatar Airways on A350 Claims | Aviation International News

Airbus Fires Back at Qatar Airways on A350 Claims

Calling Akbar Al Baker's claims that it did not address surface degradation in the carrier’s A350s a mischaracterization, Airbus considers legal action.

Qatar Airways has grounded 19 Airbus A350s due to degradation of the airplanes' composite surface below the paint. (Photo: Flickr: Creative Commons (BY-ND) by Florian Klebl)

By Gregory Polek • Senior Editor

December 9, 2021

Airbus on Thursday said it will seek “an independent legal assessment” to resolve its dispute with Qatar Airways over what the manufacturer calls ongoing mischaracterization of surface degradation among the Qatari flag carrier’s A350 fleet. Qatar Airways recently grounded 19 of its Airbus A350s due to what it called an “accelerated” condition affecting the surface of the composite aircraft below the paint, as mandated by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA). As a result, the national airline plans to “reluctantly” reintroduce to temporary service five of its 10 grounded Airbus A380s due to what it calls a capacity shortage caused by its grounding of A350s. Plans call for the airline to install the superjumbos on “key winter routes,” including London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle airports on December 15.

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Airbus A350

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