This is a first victory for Airbus. British justice gives reason to the Toulouse aircraft manufacturer against Qatar Airways. The High Court of Justice in London authorized this Tuesday, April 26 Airbus to sell to other customers the 50 A321neo ordered by the Qatari company. The conflict between Airbus and the emirate company has been going on for several months. Qatar Airways discovered paint problems on some of the A350s it had just been delivered to, deemed it a safety risk and grounded part of the fleet. False, replied Airbus, which replied in unilaterally severing a contract for 50 A321neo aircraft, the brand new medium-haul aircraft from the European aircraft manufacturer. An extremely rare decision, especially since this order is estimated at $6 billion.
British justice, seized by Qatar Airways, therefore considered that‘Airbus had the right to sell these A321s to other airlines, from 2023, relying on a clause provided in the contract which authorizes a cancellation because Qatar Airways has not respected other commitments (refusal to take delivery of three A350s). The Court must now set the timetable for the settlement of the dispute which relates to the deterioration of the paintwork of the A350s.