Qatar Airways CEO Resets Airbus Relations After A350 Dispute

The new Group CEO of Qatar Airways, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, has initiated a significant reset in the airline's relationship with Airbus, aiming to move past a bitter and high-profile legal dispute. Appointed on November 5, 2023, Al Meer is actively mending ties with the European manufacturer, signaling a new era of partnership and paving the way for substantial future fleet orders.

The move marks a decisive shift from the tenure of his predecessor, Akbar Al Baker, under whom the relationship between the two aviation giants deteriorated significantly. The core of the conflict was the Airbus A350 XWB surface degradation issue, which Qatar Airways claimed posed a safety risk. This led the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) to ground 29 of the airline's A350 aircraft, a decision that sparked a legal battle worth over $2 billion.

Background of the Dispute

The conflict escalated publicly when Qatar Airways began documenting paint and anti-lightning mesh degradation on its A350 fleet. While the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) maintained that the issue did not impact the aircraft's airworthiness, the QCAA took a stricter stance, revoking the Airworthiness Review Certificates for the affected jets. The dispute reached a critical point when Airbus took the unprecedented step of unilaterally cancelling Qatar Airways' separate order for 50 A321neo aircraft and the remaining A350s on its order book.

This public falling-out between a launch customer and its Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) was a rare and closely watched event in the tightly-knit aviation industry. It highlighted the complex technical challenges of modern composite aircraft and the high financial stakes involved in fleet operations and manufacturing contracts.

A New Era Under New Leadership

An "amicable and mutually-agreeable settlement" was reached in February 2023, even before Al Meer's appointment, according to a joint Airbus and Qatar Airways press release. As part of this agreement, Airbus reinstated the cancelled orders for the 50 A321neos and 23 A350s, and both parties agreed to discontinue their legal claims. The groundwork for reconciliation was laid, but the relationship required active repair.

Since taking the helm, Al Meer, who previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of Hamad International Airport, has publicly affirmed a forward-looking strategy. In recent statements, he confirmed a positive working relationship is being re-established. "We have a very good relationship with Airbus," Al Meer stated. "I am meeting Guillaume [Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury]... and we have continuous discussion with them."

Future Fleet Plans

This renewed partnership is critical as Qatar Airways, which operates a fleet of over 250 aircraft, pursues ambitious expansion plans. Al Meer has confirmed that the airline is in talks with both Airbus and Boeing for a significant new wide-body aircraft order potentially in the "three-digit range."

This strategic move leverages the competition between the two dominant manufacturers. "It will be very hard to choose between Airbus and Boeing, but this is why we released an RFP to create some competition between both suppliers," Al Meer commented. The potential order underscores Qatar Airways' commitment to fleet modernization and its role as a key player in global aviation, particularly as the largest operator of the A350-1000 variant.

Why This Matters

In my view, this leadership-driven reset is more than just a corporate reconciliation; it's a pragmatic recognition of mutual dependence. Qatar Airways needs access to the most advanced aircraft to fuel its growth, and Airbus cannot afford to have a fractured relationship with a premier Middle Eastern carrier. Al Meer's approach demonstrates how a change in leadership can swiftly pivot from public conflict to strategic collaboration, a lesson that holds weight across the entire airline-manufacturer ecosystem. This development not only secures near-term fleet plans but also positions Qatar Airways to exert maximum leverage in its next major aircraft acquisition.

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