Airbus changes A350's design despite Qatar Airways dispute
Technology
Airbus started making adjustments and requested additional details, Qatar tells London court
LONDON (Reuters) - In response to a $2 billion surface damage dispute with Qatar Airways, which erupted into a security discussion on Thursday, Airbus has made design adjustments to its A350 passenger planes.
The safety implications of peeling paint that exposed corrosion or cracks in a sub-layer of metallic lightning protection have been the subject of months of litigation between the two firms.
On Thursday, Qatar informed a London court that Airbus had started making the adjustment and requested additional details. Its limited use from late last year has been verified by Airbus.
According to an Airbus official, "PCF is being utilised on rear-section components on aircraft delivered from the end of 2022."
Judge David Waksman concluded the most recent preliminary hearing by stating that the use of the new design was relevant to the case.
The damage is being attributed by Qatar Airways to a potential design flaw. According to Airbus, the previous design is still secure and cutting-edge.
