In the latest chapter of the novel between Qatar Airways and Airbus, the Gulf carrier now claims that the defects found on the A350s do not reflect production problems but are due to a design flaw in the model. Furthermore, according to the airline, the delaminations found in the paintwork «increase the risk of the fuel tanks catching fire», thus affecting the safety of the type and would not just be an aesthetic problem.
In court documents filed with the London court, which transcended through Bloomberg, Qatar pointed out that the damage to the paint on its A350s is such that «wind and various contaminants could penetrate it and damage the lightning protection mesh of the fuselage.» This would be of particular concern on the wings, where the fuel tanks are located.
In its submission, the airline cited an EASA assessment dated April 2021 that concluded that – if the protective mesh was disturbed – a lightning strike would pose an operational hazard if it occurred where the fuel tanks are located. Qatar Airways relied on this to argue that – given that damage was found to the wing paintwork – the safety of the model would be compromised.
Qatar Airways CTO Ali Al Hilli said that both «the design and manufacture of the A350 are flawed». He added that having inspected all the A350s the company has on the ground, «the damage includes cracks, some of them severe – especially around the windows – exposure of the lightning protection and damage to the lightning protection. On some aircraft, he even mentioned that «the composite base of the fuselage can be seen».
While the legal battle continues, the airline tried to calm the waters. «Qatar and Airbus have worked together for more than 20 years,» said Krunoslav Krajacevic, a senior leader at the airline, during his witness statement. «I am confident that our relationship will remain strong despite this dispute,» he closed.
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