Qatar Airways loses UK court bid to force Airbus to supply A321neo
Qatar Airways loses UK court bid to force Airbus to supply A321neo
The UK’s high court has denied a request by Qatar Airways to force Airbus to keep building A321neo jetliners for the airline as part of a wider public $1bn (£786m) bust-up that has implications for other future multibillion-dollar jet deals.
The preliminary ruling by a UK judge means the European plane manufacturer is free to market the popular smaller jets to other carriers, while the two sides remain locked in a separate disagreement over the safety of larger A350 jets.
The 16-month dispute stems from claims made by Qatar Airways that peeling and cracking paint on the A350 aircraft made by Airbus poses safety issues in the event of a lightning strike. Airbus argues it is a maintenance rather than a safety issue.