Qatar Airways escalates dispute with Airbus after jet maker scraps $6bn order

Qatar Airways escalates dispute with Airbus after jet maker scraps $6bn order

Qatar Airways has escalated a dispute with Airbus by releasing a video showing apparent damage to its aircraft, the latest salvo in a growing quarrel after the jet maker scrapped a separate $6bn order.

Images released by the Gulf airline on Friday appeared to show damage to the surface of its Airbus A350 widebody aircraft, including paintwork peeling off the body.

Qatar Airways said it had “serious and legitimate safety concerns”, and listed a series of problems including defects that had left the lightning protection systems exposed and damaged, and damage around rivets on the aircraft fuselage.

The escalation from Qatar Airways came hours after Airbus scrapped a $6bn order for new aircraft from the airline, in a rare move by an aircraft manufacturer.

The European plane maker confirmed on Friday that it had rescinded a contract for 50 of its popular A321neo aircraft by the Gulf carrier. Unilateral cancellations of orders by Airbus or its US rival Boeing are extremely unusual. In the few cases when it has happened, it has been because payment deadlines have not been met, or an airline has entered insolvency.

“Cancellations are remarkably unusual in this industry. Cancellations where the original equipment manufacturer initiates it are extremely unusual indeed,”