(Paris) Airbus delivered 30 planes and recorded 36 new orders in January, but the aircraft manufacturer suffered from a negative balance caused by the cancellation of an order for 50 A321neo in the context of the dispute between it and the Qatar Airways company.
Posted at 1:45 p.m.
The European manufacturer announced on Tuesday that it had delivered 24 single-aisle A320 family (A320 and A321), 2 A220 and 4 long-haul A350 in January, i.e. as many as in January 2019 (31 aircraft), before the pandemic put shutdown the aviation sector, according to monthly documents released on Tuesday.
Airbus also entered its order book for 22 single-aisle A220s from the American lessor Azorra, 6 A320s and 8 A321s.
The balance of net orders is however in negative territory (-16 aircraft) due to the cancellation by Airbus of an order for 50 A321neo by Qatar Airways, one of its largest customers.
The aircraft manufacturer terminated this contract as a retaliatory measure after Qatar Airways refused to take delivery of long-haul A350s. The Qatari company has engaged in a legal tussle with Airbus, claiming to have been forced to ground part of its fleet of A350 jumbo jets due to deterioration of the surface of the fuselages.
If Airbus recognizes a degradation of the paint, it does not pose a risk to airworthiness, says the aircraft manufacturer, echoing the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Two A350s ordered by Qatar Airways were also removed from Airbus’ order book in January, which did not comment.
The Gulf company grounded 21 of its 53 A350s. After the two cancellations, she still has to receive 21 copies.
In the dispute between Airbus and Qatar Airways, a new hearing before the High Court of Justice in London is scheduled for the end of April.
As of January 31, Airbus had 7,036 aircraft in its order book, including 5,779 A320 family aircraft and 450 A350s.