Aviation
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Europe
Solution?
Airbus takes legal action to resolve issues with Qatar
Airbus A350-1000
Image: Airbus
Rafael Ramos
12/10/2021
Airbus intends to take legal action to resolve its issues with Qatar Airways. The UAE airline says it has problems with the paint on the A350's fuselage, which is degrading, exposing the surface responsible for protecting the plane from lightning, it is not just aesthetic.
In a statement, Airbus said the problem is only aesthetic, not interfering with the airworthiness of the model. The company also said Europe's aviation regulators have already declared the plane safe to fly despite surface degradation.
“This customer's attempt to misrepresent this specific topic as an airworthiness issue represents a threat to international security protocols,” the manufacturer's statement reads, without mentioning Qatar. However, Airbus officials themselves said the statement refers to the airline.
Philippe Mhun, Airbus' Executive Vice President of Programs and Services said that Airbus offered solutions to Qatar, between patching anti-lightning material repairs and repainting entire aircraft, but Qatar declined.
"We don't know if it's an airworthiness issue," said Akbar Al Baker, Qatar's chief executive.
He said that 20 of the company's A350s - both the A350-900 and the A350-1000 - were grounded and were experiencing "accelerated wear" of the fuselage.
Airbus recognizes the problem, but says safety is the company's top priority and will seek a legal review on the matter.
Airbus A350-1000
Qatar Airways
EA Lover, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Security Agency of the European Union (Easa) says that no airworthiness problems have been identified so far.
"I've never seen anything like it. It's not just an issue between Airbus and Qatar Airways, but the issue also involves avoiding further damage to the A350's reputation with all operators," said aviation consultant Bertrand Grabowski.
Typically, such disputes take place out of public view, however, Airbus claims to be acting to maintain its reputation, while Qatar claims to have its operations at stake as 20 of its A350 jets were grounded in less than a year. before the Gulf state hosted the FIFA World Cup.
Airbus Paint Flaw
Image: Reuters
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Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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