British judge gave Qatar Airways a quick trial against Airbus in jetliner safety dispute
The British judge on Thursday May 26 gave Qatar Airways a relatively quick trial against Airbus in a dispute over jetliner safety. However, the judge rejected various procedural claims, including a request from the company to divide the highly-publicized case to two distinct parts.
The two companies have been caught in a battle for several months over the safety of Europe’s latest long-haul aircraft due to damage to its outer skin broke one of the most intimate commercial relationships in aviation. Read more
The judge’s ruling will mean that Airbus can attempt to continue to deliver A350 aircraft to Qatar Airways, triggering payment clauses, or to sell planes that are rejected to airlines like Air India which industry sources claim could be an buyer.
Qatar Airways asked Britain’s High Court to divide the case and to direct Airbus to conduct a thorough investigation of the problems that could affect the protection of aircraft from lightning that typically strikes commercial aircraft every year.
It also sought to stop Airbus from delivering additional A350 aircraft to Emirate or selling any aircraft that was not delivered to other airlines as the dispute rages into.
The judge denied both demands, but did agree to Qatar’s request for a swift trial in the principal contract and safety issue and added an indicative timeframe starting in June next year, in the event of the equivalent of a three-month summer trial.
“I am in absolutely no doubt that this case should be tried as soon as is practically possible,” Judge David Waksman said, adding that it was in the public interest.
A courtroom filled with lawyers from top law firm, the judge criticized the legal saga that has been created by the dispute between two of the aviation’s most formidable players.
“The costs for both sides are way over the top in my judgment. There is far too much time that is being spent here,” Waksman stated in the midst of a heated debate between the two sides. disagreed on who would pay the bill.
Qatar is grounded for over 20 A350s due to erosion of the painted surface exposed damages or cracks in an anti-lightning mesh, sandwiched in between the carbon fuselage as well as the the painted exterior.
The Gulf carrier claims this raises concerns about the safety of the affected aircrafts and has decided to not take additional deliveries pending further analysis as well as seeking compensation of $1 billion.
Airbus acknowledges that there are quality issues, however, it insists that the planes are safe, and continues to push for Airbus to take the delivery of additional planes when they are constructed.
Other airlines continue to operate the A350 without having them grounded following European regulators claimed that the paint issue didn’t affect their safety. Privately, top industry executives have been telling Reuters both sides must reach the best solution.
The dispute escalated in January, after Airbus pulled out of a agreement in January with Qatar to purchase smaller A321neo aircraft. The same judge in December turned down a proposal by Qatar Airways to reverse the decision.
Airbus claimed a partial victory over the initial rulings, but those familiar with the company claimed that the primary focus is on the trial, which could spark discussions on the decisions made in the course of A350 development.
Reuters.com by Tim Hepher; Editing of Elaine Hardcastle