Airlines

Airbus cancels Qatar Airways’ A321neo order over the A350 dispute.

Airbus has cancelled Qatar Airways’ contract for 50 A321neos due to the continued disagreement over A350 surface degradation. In the midst of the developing disagreement, Qatar Airways had already delayed deliveries of its outstanding A350 orders, prompting Airbus to terminate a contractual arrangement for a new aircraft.

The paint on the recently arrived Airbus A350s was flaking and peeling, revealing copper meshing meant to protect the plane against lightning strikes, according to the airline. After suspending the afflicted aircraft — 21 of its 53 A350 flights – the airline is demanding more than $600 million in compensation, alleging the paint issue poses a safety concern..

The airline stated that it anticipates a court decision in the case and believes that “Airbus must conduct a thorough enquiry of this circumstance to conclusively demonstrate its full root cause in order to establish if any proposed maintenance solution will rectify the underlying issue and guarantee no risk to the aircraft’s ongoing airworthiness.”

Airbus has stated that it is considering modifying the structure of the anti-lightning mesh on newer A350s, but that secondary lightning protection is enough. Qatar, it claims, is weakening global rules by attempting to gain power over safety.

“In accordance with our rights, we confirmed we terminated the deal for 50 A321s with Qatar Airways,” an Airbus official said.

Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.