Willie Walsh, The Director-General of the International Air Transport Association has criticised the European plane maker Airbus for revoking an order from the Doha-based Qatar Airways following a bitter legal dispute over technical issues on the carrier's new A350 aircraft.
Walsh warned Airbus not to use its market dominance to bully airlines as such actions could see airlines cancel plane orders if the manufacturer's performance falls below a desired level.
Qatar Airways is now backtracking on its previous hardline attack position with the Airbus with CEO Akbar Al Baker saying today that Qatar Airways is open to constructive discussion in its dispute with Airbus on damage to A350 aircraft but expects goodwill on both sides, the airline's chief executive said on Monday. "I always have goodwill but the goodwill has to be from everybody, not only from me,".
The airline boss is reported to have repeatedly sworn at senior Airbus management in a conference call negotiation over the legal action, warning them “You’ll not get a dollar from us – these planes will be free”
Airbus has reiterated its previous stance of saying the door was always open to constructive negotiation.
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