A350 Fuselage coating cracks
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Court action not rapid and not going well for Qatar
Apparently the London Court has denied Qatar's action to require Airbus to continue making the A321's on order. Qatar objected to Airbus connecting the A321 order with Qatar's refusal to take further deliveries of their A350 order. The A350 deliveries are in dispute because Qatar's regulator (the Board has some common personnel to Qatar Airways) ruled there are safety issues with the cracking paint. This is despite Airbus attempting to remedy with Qatar and then Qatar taking several more of their A350's out of service and also letting them all deteriorate further without repair or repaint and suing Airbus for massive amounts of damages. Let's see how that Court case goes for them.
https://www.theguardian.com/business...airbus-a321neo
https://www.theguardian.com/business...airbus-a321neo
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Out of curiosity for someone who knows nothing about legalities. A European manufacturer based in France being sued by a Qatari company. Why is the case being heard in the U.K.?
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I concur with oceancrosser.
Contracts especially between parties in different countries typically include provisions which state what court will have jurisdiction in case of dispute and what law that court will apply (respectively, forum selection, and choice of law, provisions).
Contracts especially between parties in different countries typically include provisions which state what court will have jurisdiction in case of dispute and what law that court will apply (respectively, forum selection, and choice of law, provisions).
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Full court case scheduled for trial in UK summer
At a further hearing a judge has denied Qatar's request for Airbus to stop trying to deliver their A350 orders (when Qatar refuse them it triggers financial penalties) and can even then sell them to other airlines. Clearly this has gone against Qatar's arguments of safety and damages. The full case is now set for three entertaining weeks in the summer next year. The judge suggested the parties reflect before then, voicing that the amount of time (money) being spent on legal teams looked disproportionate to a likely outcome and remarking the case "looks unsettleable, however that may change"!
The known facts seem to be that the A350's surface coating is not lasting as long as coatings on metal skinned airplanes. The 787 has similar problems and Qatar is not the only airline affected, but is the only one having stopped using affected examples and is suing Airbus. The closeups show the surface coating has cracked, peeled and exposed the metal lightning protection mesh. A lot more than the top layer of paint seems to be affected (surface coating has many layers before final coats of paint, graphics and gloss), but not the basic carbon structure of the fuselage. Airbus say they worked with Qatar to advise on repair/recoat but Qatar say that's not good enough and want a permanent solution. Meantime they fly their younger examples but refuse to take any more. Other airlines continue to fly their A350 fleets and enjoy the efficiency and passenger comfort. Presumably they are repairing/recoating as required. New A350 sales are being made by Airbus and the plane seems to be a successful, reliable and safe product. It must therefore raise the likelihood that a huge amount claimed by Qatar when they refused to get the surface coating repaired/re-coated and not flying some of their A350's is highly questionable to succeed. If that is accepted then why is Qatar so doggedly continuing to prosecute this law suit? They seem to need the planes as they have had to resurrect some of their A380's. We may see a reluctant return to try to settle with Airbus before summer and of course for an undisclosed amount.
https://www.reuters.com/business/aer...sh-2022-05-26/
The known facts seem to be that the A350's surface coating is not lasting as long as coatings on metal skinned airplanes. The 787 has similar problems and Qatar is not the only airline affected, but is the only one having stopped using affected examples and is suing Airbus. The closeups show the surface coating has cracked, peeled and exposed the metal lightning protection mesh. A lot more than the top layer of paint seems to be affected (surface coating has many layers before final coats of paint, graphics and gloss), but not the basic carbon structure of the fuselage. Airbus say they worked with Qatar to advise on repair/recoat but Qatar say that's not good enough and want a permanent solution. Meantime they fly their younger examples but refuse to take any more. Other airlines continue to fly their A350 fleets and enjoy the efficiency and passenger comfort. Presumably they are repairing/recoating as required. New A350 sales are being made by Airbus and the plane seems to be a successful, reliable and safe product. It must therefore raise the likelihood that a huge amount claimed by Qatar when they refused to get the surface coating repaired/re-coated and not flying some of their A350's is highly questionable to succeed. If that is accepted then why is Qatar so doggedly continuing to prosecute this law suit? They seem to need the planes as they have had to resurrect some of their A380's. We may see a reluctant return to try to settle with Airbus before summer and of course for an undisclosed amount.
https://www.reuters.com/business/aer...sh-2022-05-26/
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Paint Flakes
... and this one isn't even a A350
After nearly two years in the desert, planes with giant flakes of paint peeling from their fuselages can face long wait times at paint shops.
After nearly two years in the desert, planes with giant flakes of paint peeling from their fuselages can face long wait times at paint shops.
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Does anyone have more information on this? A Qatar Airways’ Airbus A350-900, registered A7-ALL, was ferried to Shannon Airport (SNN) in Ireland, on November 13, 2020. There, aviation painting company International Aerospace Coatings (IAC) was supposed to give it a special livery to celebrate the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar.
However, after the original livery was removed, cracks in the fuselage were reportedly found in the composite (CFRP) fuselage. It should now be ferried to Airbus headquarters in Toulouse for inspection and repairs.
https://www.aerotime.aero/26851-crac...qatar-a350-xwb
However, after the original livery was removed, cracks in the fuselage were reportedly found in the composite (CFRP) fuselage. It should now be ferried to Airbus headquarters in Toulouse for inspection and repairs.
https://www.aerotime.aero/26851-crac...qatar-a350-xwb
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Airbus cancels entire remainder of Qatar's order for A350's
According to sources speaking on condition of anonymity the rest of the Qatar order for A350's has been cancelled by Airbus.
Qatar had paused accepting A350 deliveries earlier during the dispute, the subject of litigation in London courts, over surface coating issues.
It appears the remaining 17 (might be 19 with the 2 undelivered) A350's still to be delivered to Qatar from their earlier order have now been cancelled by Airbus.
https://www.archyde.com/airbus-cance...qatar-airways/
Qatar had paused accepting A350 deliveries earlier during the dispute, the subject of litigation in London courts, over surface coating issues.
It appears the remaining 17 (might be 19 with the 2 undelivered) A350's still to be delivered to Qatar from their earlier order have now been cancelled by Airbus.
https://www.archyde.com/airbus-cance...qatar-airways/
Last edited by LandIT; 4th Aug 2022 at 11:35.
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According to the article Airbus is an airline! Are there any cheap seats on offer?
Quote:-
The two airlines have been locked in a rare public dispute for months over the condition of more than 20 long-haul planes that Qatar Airways says could pose a risk to passengers and Airbus says are perfectly safe.
Quote:-
The two airlines have been locked in a rare public dispute for months over the condition of more than 20 long-haul planes that Qatar Airways says could pose a risk to passengers and Airbus says are perfectly safe.
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Qatar 787s may experience similar paint issues
I wonder if Boeing have explained to Qatar Airways that the 787 has surface coating adhesion imperfection issues or under certain conditions anyway? If not then will we see a similar situation develop between Qatar and Boeing like the legal proceedings between Qatar and Airbus (that Qatar had hoped would be rapidly settled in the London Courts) for the A350 paint adhesion issues. If anyone has close-ups of the 787 surface coating deterioration I'm sure Qatar would be pleased to see what they might be in for after their 787's have been flying for a while. Not to worry - it appears that speed tape will cover it up alright. Nothing to see here. No safety issue. Just a visit to the paint shop required according to Boeing.
where they are located, they have almost negligible effect on stall characteristics. They do alter cruise drag, and depending on the location, they could alter the cruise trim state slightly, but nothing much. The flight crew wouldn't see the difference on the instruments, the bean counters might note a slight increase in fuel costs over time. If that was on the leading edge of the wing, then all bets are off, but they are not. Aft of 0.1C, there is not much effect on the stall. darned ugly though.
its camouflage.................
