Qatar Airways seeking to reinstate an A321neo jets order cancelled by Airbus.
Qatar Airways condemned what it described as an “incendiary” decision by planemaker Airbus to revoke an order for A321neo jets as it seeks a court ruling to reinstate the plane deal.
Airbus said last month it had pulled out of the deal because Qatar Airways had broken a separate contract in a dispute about surface flaws on larger A350 jets, something the carrier denies.
→ Qatar Airways orders 34 777X freighters, with option for 16 more.
The companies have been locked in a dispute over blistered paint and degradation to anti-lightning protection on the long-haul A350s.
Despite placing a preliminary order for 25 or more competing Boeing 737 MAX planes last month, Qatar Airways has not surrendered hopes of receiving the in-demand A321neo and is seeking a UK court injunction to prevent the deal being cancelled, Reuters reported.
In a hearing on Friday, a British judge rejected Airbus’ request to delay discussion on the A321neo for five weeks and ordered it not to do anything in the meantime that may scupper its ability to fulfil the A321neo deal if Qatar wins that case.
The hearing gave glimpses of what looks set to be a rare and bitter two-stage court battle in aviation, with a hearing on Qatar’s request for an injunction set for the week of April 4, and a court date on the main A350 dispute set for April 26.
→ Qatar Airways releases video, hits back at Airbus in A350 paint dispute.
Qatar Airways accused Airbus of cancelling the A321neo to put pressure on the airline in the dispute over damaged A350s.
“They took the risk and knew it would be absolutely incendiary. We have paid $330 million for this (A321neo) contract so far and they knew it was a hand grenade being thrown into our bunker,” Qatar Airways lawyer Philip Shepherd said.
Airbus Chief Executive Guillaume Faury said on Thursday the planemaker had been forced to cancel the A321neo order in order to “exercise our rights” as part of the A350 row.
Airbus told the court on Friday it would not attempt to redeploy initial delivery slots for other airlines pending the new hearing. Qatar Airways is due to take six A321neo aircraft a year starting in February 2023.
Airbus is meanwhile preparing to launch its own counter-claims in the A350 case.
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