Qatar Airways and Airbus reach settlement in A350 row

Airbus and Qatar Airways have reached a settlement regarding their legal dispute over A350 surface degradation and the grounding of A350 aircraft, said the airframer in a media release on February 1.

Qatar Airways issued legal proceedings against Airbus in the Technology and Construction Court of London’s High Court of Justice in December 2021.

The airline said at the time that 21 A350 aircraft had been grounded, representing a large chunk of belly capacity.

The legal dispute also cast doubt on the future relationship of the companies and any future freighter orders.

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

“A repair project is now underway and both parties look forward to getting these aircraft safely back in the air.

“The details of the settlement are confidential and the parties will now proceed to discontinue their legal claims.”

While financial details of the settlement have not been made public, in January 2022, Qatar Airways was reportedly pursuing more than $600m in compensation from Airbus.

Airbus added: “The settlement agreement is not an admission of liability for either party.

“This agreement will enable Qatar Airways and Airbus to move forward and work together as partners.”

Airbus appeared not to suffer from lack of interest in its latest newbuild freighter, the A350F. Air Lease became the launch customer for the freighter in November 2021 and companies including Air France-KLM, Singapore Airlines, and CMA CGM

are amongst the earliest customers for the aircraft.