A high-profile dispute between Qatar Airways and plane maker Airbus over the airworthiness of Europe’s newest long-haul jet is set to be decided in a UK court next year in what could be a three-month trial.
The two companies have been locked in a $1 billion dispute for 17 months after cracks in paintwork exposed gaps in an anti-lightning mesh beneath, which prompted the airline to ground more than 20 of its A350 planes. Lightning hits commercial jets on average once a year.
The airline said it would not take further deliveries until the issue had been resolved compensation claimed. The plane maker has called it is a maintenance issue and escalated the dispute by revoking a separate contract for smaller A321neo jets.
A judge at London’s High Court on Thursday cleared the way for a trial next year but refused an attempt by the airline to split the case into two parts.
The decision means Airbus is free to attempt to keep delivering A350s to Qatar Airways, triggering payment clauses, or to try to sell rejected planes to airlines such as Air India, which industry sources say could step in as a buyer.
Qatar Airways had asked the court to order Airbus to perform a deeper analysis of the system for protecting the planes against lightning. The request was rejected.
But Judge David Waksman signalled that the trial could start in June on the wider safety issues and criticised the already high level of legal costs in the case.
“I am in absolutely no doubt that this case should be tried as soon as is practically possible,” he said. “The costs for both sides are way over the top, in my judgment.”
The head of the airline said on Thursday that he hoped the case could be settled without a trial.
"Every partnership has disputes and I just hope that this dispute could be resolved outside the courts of law," Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker told reporters.
Airbus acknowledges quality issues but insists the planes are safe and has continued to attempt to force the airline to take delivery of more planes as they are built.
Other airlines continue to fly the A350 without grounding them after European regulators said the paint problem did not affect their airworthiness.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
SERIES INFO
Schedule:
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
1st ODI, Wed Apr 10
2nd ODI, Fri Apr 12
3rd ODI, Sun Apr 14
4th ODI, Sun Apr 16
UAE squad
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Zimbabwe squad
Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
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British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Results
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: RB Kings Bay, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: AF Ensito, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: AF Sourouh, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
8.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Baaher, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
9pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Mootahady, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
9.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Dubai Canal, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Al Ain Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Harrab, Bernardo Pinheiro, Majed Al Jahouri
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BlacKkKlansman
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Starring: John David Washington; Adam Driver
Five stars
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
