The air between the Gulf carrier Qatar Airways and Airbus has been thick for some time. Now the manufacturer went to the next level of escalation and canceled a large order for 50 A321neo. However, the airline does not want to let this sit on its own and has already announced a lawsuit against it.

Qatar Airways has been denouncing defects in the Airbus A350 machine type for a long time and has not been able to use them for several months. The Civil Aviation Authority of Qatar banned this type from flying due to paint defects. The Oneworld member is suing for damages in the amount of 618 million US dollars.

At first it appeared that Qatar Airways was the only airline to have identified quality issues with the Airbus A350. Gradually, however, it became known that other carriers had identified the same or similar problems. Airbus considers this a purely “cosmetic defect”. Doha has a completely different view of the matter, with the manufacturer telling Bloomberg that the claim for damages is excessive.

Airbus is now triggering the next level of escalation and canceling a bulk order for 50 machines from the A321neo series. The order dates back to 2011 and was originally intended for the Ceo model. A year later, these were converted to Neo aircraft. Not so long ago, part of the order was converted to A321LR. However, the European manufacturer no longer wants to deliver and is withdrawing from the contract.

An Airbus spokesman told Reuters: “We confirm that we have terminated the contract with Qatar Airways for 50 A321s along our rights”. Such a step is very rarely taken by aircraft manufacturers and if so, it is only in the event of a default in payment. However, this reason does not exist.

However, Qatar Airways does not want to let the exit from the supply contract sit on its own and has already announced that it intends to sue against Airbus' termination. A court must therefore decide whether the golf carrier will receive the large order worth several billion euros or not.