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Peeling paint on an A350: The dispute between Qatar Airways and Airbus has reached a new level of escalation
Photo: STAFF / REUTERS
The aircraft manufacturer Airbus is in a clinch with its major customer Qatar Airways.
The airline is now apparently continuing the dispute on social media – and published a video there of damage to the paintwork on aircraft.
The footage shows machines being grounded by the national regulator.
The footage shows flaws in the A350 jets that Qatar Airways says pose "serious and legitimate safety concerns," including parts with peeling or missing paint and cracks.
Qatar Airways is thus countering a measure that Airbus announced shortly before: the aircraft manufacturer had canceled an order from Qatar Airways for 50 A321neo machines.
According to the aircraft manufacturer, this happened because Qatar Airways failed to fulfill the contract for the delivery of the A350 machines.
The 50 A321neo aircraft have an order value of more than six billion dollars.
Airbus has not yet commented on the video.
The aircraft manufacturer had previously accused the airline of manipulation in order to receive compensation.
The companies have been arguing about damage to the long-haul aircraft for months.
Airbus acknowledged that these need to be addressed.
However, there is no impact on the safety of the machines.
The two parties have also met in court: in the first hearing in the London court on Thursday, Qatar Airways sought compensation of $618 million plus an additional $4 million for each day the A350s are grounded. it was said from informed circles.
cop/Reuters
