* Article updated with a statement from Airbus on 08/04/2022 @ 07:28 UTC *

With Qatar Airways and Airbus having been locked in an ongoing dispute for several months now, the pair are set to face each other in court. The case concerns Airbus revoking Qatar Airways' order for the A321neo, which the Doha-based airline wants to be prevented. Let's take a look at the ins and outs of the case.

The story so far

The story of Qatar Airways' complicated relationship with the Airbus A321neo order dates back to 2011, when it first placed an order for the type. The airline firmed this commitment up in December 2017, confirming that it would take 50 examples of the next-generation narrowbody in the Airbus Cabin Flex (ACF) configuration.

Just over a year later, as reported by Simple Flying at the time in January 2019, the carrier took the decision to convert 10 of these aircraft to the long-range A321LR variant. This was the last notable occurrence involving its Airbus A321neo order for around three years, before the deal became a subject of controversy.

The matter was thrust firmly back into the spotlight when, in January 2022, Airbus canceled Qatar Airways' A321neo order. It did so amid a separate ongoing saga involving paint issues and surface degradation on the Doha-based oneworld member's A350 fleet. A spokesperson for Airbus confirmed to Simple Flying at the time that it had terminated the contract "in accordance with [its] rights."

A321neo LR Airbus MSN7877 landing
Qatar Airways had 50 A321neo series aircraft on order prior to the cancelation. Photo: Airbus

Taken to court

The following month, Qatar Airways sought an injunction to prevent the order from being canceled. This resulted in the termination of the deal temporarily being put on hold. However, as reported by Reuters, the airline now wants to extend an order to prevent the contract from being revoked, and is facing Airbus in court.

The pair are going head to head in the first in-person hearing on the matter, with previous sessions having been conducted virtually due to coronavirus restrictions. A key consideration for the judge to take into account will be to weigh up whether Airbus or Qatar Airways has more to lose from the order being canceled.

After all, Airbus also has something at stake, given that the termination of the contract with Qatar Airways could see the carrier order next-generation 737 MAX aircraft from its US rival Boeing instead. The carrier provisionally ordered 50 of these twinjets in January. Airbus has also suggested that Qatar Airways could replace its canceled A321neos with other Airbus jets from leasing firms.

Airbus A350, Qatar Airways, 2021
Qatar Airways has refused to take new deliveries of the A350 until its problems can be addressed. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

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A consequence of the A350 feud

The matter concerning Qatar Airways' order for the Airbus A321neo is part of a wider ongoing dispute between the carrier and the multinational manufacturer. This involves paint issues on its A350 widebodies, which it claims could lead to fires. It has grounded 23 examples of the type, and is refusing to take further deliveries.

However, Airbus has retaliated to the most recent refusal by canceling the order in question. Simple Flying contacted Airbus and Qatar Airways for comment on the dispute, with the European manufacturer stating that:

"Driven by the mandates of the legal process initiated by QTR, Airbus had to make the decision to exercise its legal rights and terminate two A350-1000 delivery slots and the A321neo contract. This decision came as a last resort and followed many fruitless attempts to find mutually beneficial solutions. Airbus remains committed to finding an amicable resolution but will, absent agreement by QTR to negotiate, continue to defend its case in court."

Qatar Airways is yet to respond to Simple Flying's request for a statement.

What do you make of the ongoing dispute between Airbus and Qatar Airways? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Source: Reuters