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There is a legal battle growing in importance daily, is about Qatar Airways versus Airbus due to paint problems A350. Photo Qatar
But we must have a general context to understand what is happening. First, Qatar Airways is not the only airline that has presented these problems, there are others in the world, but only Qatar has initiated legal action.
Second, the European Aviation Safety Agency – EASA has publicly said there is no such risk, supporting Airbus and calming down the rest of the operating airlines of the A350, but it has not been enough for Qatar.
And third, Qatar Airways has a fleet of 53 A350 aircraft (19 version 1000 and 34 version 900), of which 21 remain on land, generating millionaire losses for the airline due to concerns in the painting.
The problems in the painting of the A350
Although the rest of the airlines have remained calm, despite observing the same problems of Qatar, these follow very closely the development of the giant legal battle that is taking place in London and that would have its first hearing next April.
Escalation of legal action and Airbus response, took to the airline and present this video to the general public that allows dimensioning the damage to the paint:
What Qatar Airways Says
In a press release published on its website, along with the video above, the airline indicated the following:
The 20 of January of 2022, Qatar Airways, through legal proceedings against Airbus in the Technology and Construction division of the High Court of England, requested an expedited preliminary matter hearing to address our serious and legitimate safety concerns regarding the deteriorating surface condition adversely affecting our fleet of Airbus A350s, which has so far led to 21 Airbus A350 aircraft on the ground. As the video clearly shows, these defects are not superficial and one of the defects causes the aircraft's lightning protection system to be exposed and damaged, another defect leaves the underlying composite structure exposed to moisture and ultraviolet light, and other defects include cracks in the compound and damage around a high percentage of rivets in the aircraft fuselage.
We continue to strongly believe that Airbus must conduct a thorough investigation of this condition to conclusively establish its full root cause in order to establish whether any proposed remedial solution will rectify the underlying condition and ensure there is no risk to the continued airworthiness of the aircraft. aircraft.
Qatar Airways' number one priority remains the safety of its passengers and crew. For this reason, all affected aircraft remain grounded and we are unable to accept delivery of further aircraft proposed by Airbus.
What Airbus Says
Instead, the European manufacturer has been more cautious with its press releases, finding for now only this official statement:
Airbus received a formal legal claim in the English courts brought by Qatar Airways, in connection with the dispute over paint and surface degradation on some of Qatar Airways' A350XWB aircraft. Airbus is in the process of analyzing the content of the claim. Airbus intends to vigorously defend its position.
But it's not all, despite the fact that publicly his defense has been concise, behind cameras Airbus unilaterally canceled the order for 50 planes Airbus A321neo what Qatar Airways had made prior to the current legal litigation.
This action brought further response from Qatar:
Airbus responded by seeking to cancel an entirely separate contract for the delivery of 50 A321 Neo aircraft. We confirm that we are in compliance with all of our obligations under all applicable contracts. Therefore, it is with great regret and frustration that Airbus has made the apparent decision to widen and escalate this dispute. We continue to urge Airbus to carry out a satisfactory root cause analysis on the cause of the defects., as required. Qatar Airways remains prepared to assist with root cause analysis however it can.
No doubt this conflict, opens the doors for other airlines to seek solutions to similar problems, where Qatar seeks compensation of more than $600 million dollars for the non-use of its fleet.
Finally, the cancellation of orders A321neo open a door for Boeing, that without a doubt it should also be closely following the progress of these legal actions.
I will keep you informed.
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I think the paint will have a guarantee the same as the car
It should be like that, what happens is that Qatar wants economic compensation for the damages.
Let's see it as a user, buy a million plane, Well, I don't think you'll spend a million, so that after a few years the plane leaves you with this type of damage, What would you think of your car if it started to fall apart and the manufacturer replied that it is nothing serious?, the truth would bother you as a user and you would at least hope that the problem would be solved or they would give you a solution.
Totally agree.
As we aeronauts know, the frames of modern aircraft have the latest materials with aluminum and today, high strength alloy 7075, containing copper, magnesium and zinc, It is the most used in the aeronautical industry.. For that reason the AA planes and in Colombia Aerocondor was practically the natural plane with a faint paint, Well, it is more than weighing some 1000 kilos, leaves the rivets suffered and countersunk with the possibility of contamination and destruction of the total paint of the aircraft or fuselage. ALVARO SEQUERA DUARTE /PhD AEROSPACE
Thanks for the input.
Hello there
This A350 model I deduce that it must have technology similar to that of the Boeing 787, that is, it is built with composite materials
The 787 have presented this problem?
If not, Boeing technology I believe is superior to Airbus
The cancellation of the order of the A321 has its flats, I don't think Airbus deliberately opens the doors to Boeing
No, No paint problems have been reported on the 787 Let it know.
In the video I saw the enormous problems that the planes had, I think Airbus doesn't talk much because they know it's their fault but they don't know what to do, I think the evidence against them is strong no matter how much they try to defend themselves I think they owe Qatar what they ask for in addition to canceling a huge order that I don't know what sense that makes if the one that loses the most is Airbus since it was a million dollar order. Good post, thanks for the details.
Canceling the order is a clear sign of retaliation, without sense.
Reprisal ? It is Airbus who cancels the order, and the one who loses an important sale, rather it will be that he wants to get rid of a toxic client.
It can also be from your point of view like this, either way, this problem is far from over.
I think the same. in a statement, Airbus said Qatar had been a headache customer since its inception.