Aviation

Airbus scraps A350 contract with Qatar Airways in feud

Airbus withdrew Qatar Airways’ outstanding order for Airbus A350 aircraft Wednesday, putting the two aviation titans in a rare battle over aircraft quality.

According to the Reuters reports Airbus withdrew Qatar Airways’ outstanding order for Airbus A350 aircraft Wednesday, putting the two aviation titans in a rare battle over aircraft quality. Qatar also went to a UK court to resolve the A350 aircraft paint problem.

Qatar Airways was the first buyer of the Airbus A350, which entered their fleet in 2015. Qatar Airways began complaining about paint flaking from the exterior of the airframe and fuselage two years ago. So Qatar suspended its entire A350 fleet and is suing Airbus for at least $1.4 billion after Qatar’s regulator grounded nearly half of its A350 fleet due to premature surface damage.

Airbus Cancels Deal With Qatar Airways for Fourth A350 -Sources(Opens in a new browser tab)

further Airbus accepted the Quality issue of the paint peeling from the surface but denied the Safety concern of the aircraft that Qatar Airways stated. Airbus, backed by European regulators, admitted quality issues on the planes but disputed any safety danger from gaps in the protective sub-layer, stating that there is adequate backup.

As the UK court updated, the case may be resolved in the next years based on all analysis acquired by technological expertise in proof of damages and claims.

According to the sources, who asked not to be identified since the conversations are private, Airbus has informed the airline that it will strike the remainder of the A350 transaction off its books.

Boeing received the most orders at the Farnborough airshows in 2022.(Opens in a new browser tab)

Aviation

Aeroflot Buys Used Planes for Spare Parts Amid Sanctions

In the face of ongoing Western sanctions that have severely impacted Russia’s aviation industry, Aeroflot, the country’s largest airline, has devised a strategic plan to bolster its fleet’s spare parts inventory.

The airline is set to acquire five Boeing 737-800BCF freighters from Atran Airlines, a move that will allow it to dismantle the aircraft for critical components. The planes, which will be transferred to Aeroflot’s low-cost subsidiary Pobeda, will not be converted into passenger jets but instead will be stripped for valuable parts to support existing operations.

United Airlines Brings Holiday Cheer with Free North Pole Flights

Aeroflot’s plan to purchase these Boeing 737-800BCF freighters comes as part of a broader strategy to mitigate the effects of Western sanctions, which have crippled the Russian aviation sector. With the sanctions restricting access to essential aircraft parts and spare components, Aeroflot is exploring alternative ways to maintain and repair its fleet.

Instead of converting the freighters from cargo to passenger planes, a process deemed “unreasonably expensive” under current sanctions, the airline intends to focus on extracting high-value components such as engines, landing gear, avionics, and other essential systems.

The deal will be structured in a way that allows Aeroflot to indirectly purchase the freighters through an insurance settlement with the aircraft’s lessor, AerCap.

Top 10 World’s Busiest Airports of 2024

The Russian government’s insurance company will reimburse the aircraft’s value, and the planes will then be leased back to local operators. This method circumvents some of the restrictions imposed by international sanctions while ensuring that the airline gains access to the necessary components to support its fleet.

By dismantling the aircraft for spare parts, Aeroflot aims to secure critical resources for the ongoing maintenance of its existing fleet. Components from the Boeing 737-800BCF freighters, such as engines and avionics, are expected to be reused in other aircraft within Aeroflot’s network, ensuring that the airline can keep its operations running smoothly