Qatar Airways Successfully Reintegrates Final A350 into Fleet After Paint Issue Resolution

Qatar Airways has officially reinstated the last Airbus A350 aircraft previously grounded due to fuselage paint deterioration, marking the end of a contentious dispute with Airbus that spanned from 2021 to 2023. The carrier’s A350-900, registered as A7-ALF and with the manufacturer serial number (msn) 11, resumed revenue flights on February 16, 2024, following more than two and a half years of being sidelined. This aircraft’s return to operation, with its inaugural flight post-maintenance being QR1190 to Jeddah, signifies the complete reintegration of Qatar Airways’ A350 fleet into active service.

The ch-aviation fleets module indicates that Qatar Airways’ fleet comprises thirty-four A350-900s and twenty-four A350-1000s, with an additional eighteen -1000 models on order from Airbus. Currently, one aircraft from each A350 variant is undergoing short-term maintenance, unrelated to the prior paint degradation issues.

The dispute between Qatar Airways and Airbus began in mid-2021 when the airline, reportedly under directives from the Qatari Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA), grounded over twenty A350s due to concerns over the aircrafts’ fuselage paint integrity. This led to a legal battle between Qatar Airways and Airbus, including compensation claims by the airline and a countersuit by Airbus, which also resulted in the cancellation of Qatar Airways’ outstanding orders. However, the two parties reached a settlement in early 2023, resolving the dispute on terms that were not publicly disclosed. Part of the reconciliation included reinstating Qatar Airways’ orders for A350-1000s (with deliveries resuming in June 2023) and confirming the order for fifty A321-200Ns.

The resolution of this dispute and the full reinduction of the A350 fleet underline Qatar Airways’ commitment to maintaining its operational integrity and the strength of its partnership with Airbus. As the airline continues to expand and modernize its fleet, this milestone represents a significant step forward in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of its global operations.