Airbus has revealed it is seeking an independent legal assessment against an unnamed airline in the ongoing A350 paint saga. While the planemaker doesn't name Qatar Airways, it implies that this is the airline in question. Around 20 of Qatar Airways' Airbus A350s have been grounded on the instructions of the Qatari Civil Aviation Authority. Airbus says that the airline in question is misrepresenting the issue by calling it an airworthiness issue.The Airbus A350 has been attracting attention over recent months after Qatar Airways grounded some of its Airbus A350 fleet. It was recently revealed that other airlines have also been affected by the issue, which Airbus and EASA have both said has no airworthiness impact on the Airbus A350 fleet.
What's new?
In a statement issued today, Airbus has confirmed that it is seeking a legal assessment in the ongoing A350 paint saga. The planemaker commented,
"In the face of the ongoing mischaracterisation of non-structural surface degradation on its fleet of A350 aircraft by one of its customers, it has become necessary for Airbus to seek an independent legal assessment as a way forward to resolve the dispute... The attempt by this customer to misrepresent this specific topic as an airworthiness issue represents a threat to the international protocols on safety matters."
Airbus re-iterated that both itself and EASA, the regulator responsible for the A350's type airworthiness certificate, have studied the issues and have not classed it as an airworthiness issue. The manufacturer claims,
"The attempt by this customer to misrepresent this specific topic as an airworthiness issue represents a threat to the international protocols on safety matters."
What's happening with the Airbus A350's paint?
The Airbus A350 paint saga between Airbus and Qatar Airways dates back to January. Qatar Airways sent an Airbus A350 to be painted into a world cup livery in Ireland. However, some abnormalities were found under the paint when the aircraft's paint was stripped off ahead of the new livery's application.
The aircraft was ferried to Airbus in Toulouse, where it remains to this day. Since then, other Airbus A350 aircraft in the Qatar Airways fleet have been found to be affected by the issue. In August, Qatar Airways revealed 13 of its Airbus A350s had been grounded due to "the fuselage surface below the paint is degrading at an accelerated rate." According to the latest data from ch-aviation.com, around 20 of the airline's Airbus A350s are now grounded.
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Reuters recently reported that other Airbus A350 operators have also been suffering from the paint issue, including Finnair, Cathay Pacific, Etihad, Lufthansa, and Air France (on behalf of Air Caraibes). None of these other airlines have publicly drawn attention to the issue, further suggesting that Airbus is referring to Qatar Airways in its latest statement.
Commenting previously on the Airbus A350 situation, Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker said:
"We sincerely expect that Airbus treats this matter with the proper attention that it requires. Qatar Airways will not accept anything other than aircraft that continue to offer its customers the highest possible standard of safety and the best travel experience that they deserve."
Simple Flying has contacted Qatar Airways for an updated statement on the Airbus A350 saga. Reuters reported that a Qatar Airways spokesperson declined to comment on the issue.
What is the issue?
Pictures shared by Reuters show cracks in the paint of aircraft above a wire mesh, while some of the paint has flaked off. It's still not exactly clear what the issue is, though it is thought to be a purely cosmetic issue. With that being said, it was reported that the mesh on some of Qatar Airways' aircraft had begun to develop gaps, causing problems with the composite fuselage underneath.
Commenting on the matter at the time of Qatar's original Airbus A350 grounding, an EASA spokesperson told Simple Flying,
“Based on the data provided to EASA, there is no indication that the paint and protection degradation affects the structure of the aircraft or introduces other risks, and so EASA is not intending to take any action as State of Design for this issue at this time. No other airlines have reported paint and protection damage.”
Airbus is approaching 'the customer'
According to Airbus, the planemaker has been actively approaching the customer in question to minimize the impact and inconvenience caused by the issue. The aerospace giant says that the customer has dismissed all solutions presented by Airbus without what it calls a legitimate justification.
While Airbus says it is taking action 'regrettably' to defend its position and reputation, it seems that it doesn't wish to close the doors on communication just yet wholly. The company commented that it is "working to establish a constructive dialogue with its customer on this matter." However, it also added that it "is not willing to accept inaccurate statements of this kind to continue."
Clarification on the recent airworthiness directive
On Monday, it was revealed that EASA had proposed an airworthiness directive (AD) affecting 13 of Airbus' A350s. While the AD calls for repairs to take place on affected aircraft, it doesn't demand that any jets are grounded. According to the AD, copper foil may not have been correctly installed on the wing covers of these 13 jets.
In its statement today, Airbus clarified that the issue highlighted by the airworthiness directive is different in nature from the ongoing paint drama, adding, "The limited number of aircraft will be inspected as per EASA's directive."
What do you make of the ongoing Airbus A350 paint saga. Is Airbus right to seek an independent legal assessment? Let us know what you think and why in the comments!