Qatar Airways calls for $1 billion from plane-maker Airbus over ‘peeling paint’ | World Information

The pinnacle of Qatar Airways on Tuesday accused plane-maker Airbus of performing like a “bully” as their billion-dollar dispute over peeling paint seemed no nearer to a decision.

The airline and main plane-maker have been preventing within the British courts for months over the paint downside that seen Qatar Airways floor 23 A350 jets.

“If issues had been settled, we would not be nonetheless ready for the trial to occur subsequent yr,” Qatar Airways chief govt Akbar Al Baker mentioned on the Worldwide Air Transport Affiliation annual basic assembly in Doha.

“A producer must not ever be allowed to make use of their market dominance to bully their long-standing buyer.”

Either side mentioned they hoped to succeed in a negotiated settlement after their newest listening to in Might, when a London excessive courtroom choose agreed to a speeded-up trial schedule.

Qatar Airways is demanding about $1 billion in damages over the peeling paintwork, which it says is a menace to the A350’s lightning conductor.

Final yr, the airline grounded a part of its fleet of A350s and demanded $200,000 in damages per day for every aircraft out of motion.

Airbus responded by canceling an order value greater than $6 billion for 50 A321s from Qatar Airways, the Center East’s second greatest service and considered one of its greatest shoppers.

When requested for a response to Baker’s feedback, Airbus instructed AFP: “The most effective resolution is a negotiated one and that is what Airbus is in search of.”

Airbus chief govt Guillaume Faury earlier instructed reporters the French producer was in discussions “on a regular basis” with Qatar Airways.

“We have now this example to resolve and it takes time. It takes time and sweat, and I am very pissed off to be on this state of affairs,” he mentioned on Sunday.

“I do not wish to be on this state of affairs with prospects, that is very clear, that is why we’re attempting to work out an answer transferring ahead. Nevertheless it’s tough.”

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AIRBUS GROUP