Reuters has reported that the Airbus CEO is in discussions with Qatar Airways to try to resolve its legal and safety dispute over the A350 passenger jet.
"There's progress in the sense that we are communicating; we are working with each other," Guillaume Faury told Reuters on Sunday at the sidelines of an airline meeting in Doha. "I think we share the view that a settlement would be a better way forward, but as long as you don't have an agreement, you have no agreement."
The two sides are in a dispute over the quality of Europe's newest long-haul jet after damage to its protective outer skin exposed gaps in lightning protection and prompted Qatari authorities to ground more than 20 jets.
Airbus has acknowledged quality flaws with the jets at several airlines but denies the problems amount to a safety risk.
Qatar Airways, which has ordered the jets out of service as the problem appears, insists that the safety impact cannot be properly understood until Airbus provides a deeper analysis. In an unprecedented London court battle, it is pursuing Airbus for more than $1 billion in damages, with the value of the carrier's claim rising by $4 million per day.
Related: Qatar Airways claims more than $600m in Airbus A350 disagreement
"We are in a difficult place, but we in Airbus are really willing to find a way out," Faury said.
"We have been in discussion (and) the line of communication has never been broken between us and Qatar Airways. I am not suggesting it's easy...but we're speaking to each other and we continue to support Qatar Airways in their operations."
As per Reuters, both head executives of Airbus and Qatar Airways will be attending the June 19-21 annual assembly of the International Air Transport Association in Doha, but are said to have no signs of direct talks so far.
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Source: Reuters
Cover image credit: Shutterstock
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