The high-profile legal battle between Qatar Airways and Airbus over the A350’s paint deterioration became one of the aviation industry’s most talked-about disputes. What began as a technical issue soon escalated into a two-year standoff that tested the relationship between a leading airline and one of the world’s biggest aircraft manufacturers.
How It All Began
In early 2021, Qatar Airways reported that the paint on several of its Airbus A350s was peeling and cracking. The airline argued that the issue was more than cosmetic, claiming it posed potential safety concerns due to exposed lightning protection layers on the fuselage. As a precaution, Qatar Airways grounded 20 of its A350 aircraft.
Airbus acknowledged that some surface paint degradation had occurred but insisted it was a superficial problem unrelated to airworthiness. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) backed Airbus, confirming that the issue did not compromise the aircraft’s safety.
This difference in interpretation quickly turned into a standoff. While other airlines such as Lufthansa and Finnair also reported minor paint issues, none grounded their fleets. Qatar Airways, however, maintained that the problem was severe and demanded answers.
Escalation and Public Tensions
By mid-2021, Qatar Airways had halted deliveries of new A350s and made its concerns public. Airbus, feeling the damage to its reputation, began pushing back. The situation worsened when the airline reactivated its older Airbus A380 fleet to fill the capacity gap left by the grounded A350s—a move the company admitted was not ideal given its previous criticism of the superjumbo’s efficiency.
Tensions peaked when Airbus announced it would seek legal ways to address the dispute. Despite efforts from the UK government to mediate, Qatar Airways filed a lawsuit in January 2022 at the London High Court’s Technology and Construction Division. The airline sought $600 million in damages, plus $4 million per day for each grounded A350.
Airbus Fights Back
Airbus responded by canceling Qatar Airways’ pending order of 50 A321neo aircraft, citing breach of contract. In retaliation, Qatar Airways released video footage showing extensive surface damage on its grounded A350s, giving the public a first look at the issue.
At the same time, the airline signed a major deal with Boeing to purchase up to 100 aircraft, including 50 737 MAX jets, signaling a potential shift in its fleet strategy.
Inside the Courtroom
The legal proceedings moved forward in early 2022. The court initially placed restrictions on Airbus to prevent it from reallocating Qatar’s A321neo delivery slots until the dispute was settled. Airbus, in turn, filed counterclaims worth $220 million, arguing that Qatar Airways had refused to take delivery of aircraft that were contractually owed.
By April 2022, the court ruled in favor of Airbus regarding the A321neo deliveries, allowing the manufacturer to remarket the aircraft. Still, both sides continued to prepare for a full trial.
Behind the Scenes: Communication and Breakdown
Despite the heated exchanges, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury stated during the June 2022 IATA conference that both companies were still communicating. However, two months later, Reuters reported that Airbus had canceled the remaining 19 A350 orders for Qatar Airways, confirming that relations had deteriorated further.
Qatar Airways demanded that Airbus release documentation about any similar paint-related settlements with other airlines. The court also required Qatar Airways to disclose communications with its civil aviation regulator, which had supported the grounding decision.
The Turning Point
By late 2022, it became clear that the case would drag on well into 2023. Both sides faced mounting costs and reputational risks. In February 2023, after two years of escalating tension, Airbus and Qatar Airways issued a joint statement announcing an amicable settlement.
The details of the agreement were not made public, but the resolution included Airbus repairing the affected A350s and resuming aircraft deliveries to Qatar Airways.
What Changed After the Settlement
Post-settlement, Airbus modified its production process for the A350, replacing the type of copper foil used in the fuselage’s lightning protection system. The company continues to maintain that all A350s, including earlier models, are safe to fly.
Qatar Airways has since resumed operations of its A350 fleet, and Airbus deliveries to the airline have restarted, although some aircraft initially intended for Qatar had already been reassigned to other customers.
Industry Impact and Lasting Legacy
The Qatar Airways–Airbus dispute marked a rare instance of a top-tier airline publicly challenging an aircraft manufacturer on safety grounds. It sparked discussions across the aviation industry about paint durability, composite fuselage maintenance, and the balance between safety perception and regulatory standards.
While the conflict strained relations between the two companies, their post-settlement cooperation suggests a pragmatic move toward rebuilding trust. Both parties appear focused on the future, and the resolution may ultimately serve as a precedent for how manufacturers and operators handle similar issues going forward.