Enlarge image
An Airbus A350 from Qatar Airways in Frankfurt (2015)
Photo: Michael Probst / AP
Qatar Airways is demanding compensation in the millions in the dispute over defective Airbus aircraft.
The Qatar airline is demanding $ 618 million in compensation, according to court documents.
In addition, there would be four million dollars a day until the 21 A350 aircraft currently being withdrawn from air traffic control could be put back into operation.
Airbus wants to defend itself against these demands.
The company announced that it would "reject in full" the complaint.
The A350 did not have any defects that impaired flight ability.
The dispute is also delicate because Qatar Airways is one of the aircraft manufacturer's most important customers.
Qatar Airways filed a lawsuit in December.
According to industry experts, such a legal dispute between the airline and the aircraft manufacturer is unusual.
The two companies have been arguing for a long time after there were defects in the outer skin of the A350.
Changes to the paintwork of some machines are criticized.
In addition, there is corrosion on the aircraft's lightning protection system.
According to the airline, 21 A350 aircraft had to remain on the ground due to the deficiencies.
Airbus, on the other hand, assumes that the planes are safe and accuses the airline of unjustifiably treating the issue as safety-relevant.
According to Airbus program director Philippe Mhun, the European aviation authority EASA has also confirmed that the problems are not relevant to safety.
The group had announced that it would have the matter legally examined by an independent expert.
A metallic fabric that protects against lightning strikes lies between the fuselage and the exterior paintwork of the A350.
According to earlier data from Airbus, cracks in the paintwork or in this fabric appear on some aircraft of the type, depending on the operating conditions.