The head of Qatar Airways on Tuesday accused prominent plane-maker Airbus of acting like a ¡°bully¡± and has demanded $1 billion in damages over the peeling paintwork.
The airline and leading plane-maker have been fighting in the British courts for months over the paint problem that saw Qatar Airways ground 23 A350 jets, AFP reported.
¡°If things were settled, we wouldn't be still waiting for the trial to happen next year,¡± Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said at the International Air Transport Association annual general meeting in Doha.
¡°A manufacturer must never be allowed to use their market dominance to bully their long-standing customer.¡±
Both sides said they hoped to reach a negotiated settlement after their latest hearing in May, when a London high court judge agreed to a speeded-up trial schedule.
However, Qatar Airways is demanding about $1 billion in damages over the peeling paintwork, which it says is a threat to the A350's lightning conductor.
Last year, the airline grounded part of its fleet of A350s and demanded $200,000 in damages per day for each plane out of action.
Airbus responded by cancelling an order worth more than $6 billion for 50 A321s from Qatar Airways, the Middle East's second biggest carrier and one of its biggest clients.
When asked for a reaction to Baker's comments, Airbus told AFP: ¡°The best solution is a negotiated one and this is what Airbus is seeking.¡±
Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury earlier told reporters the French manufacturer was in discussions ¡°all the time¡± with Qatar Airways.
¡°We have this situation to resolve and it takes time. It takes time and sweat, and I'm very frustrated to be in this situation,¡± he said on Sunday.
¡°I don't like to be in this situation with customers, that's very clear, that's why we're trying to work out a solution moving forward. But it's difficult.¡±