Qatar Airways’ deal with Boeing no longer valid, UK court hears
Rival Airbus tells judge of its attempt to get a copy of the agreement
07 July 2022 - 16:39
byTim Hepher
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
London — Qatar Airways has indicated that a provisional agreement to buy up to 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets has lapsed, Boeing’s rival Airbus said in a court document released on Thursday.
The deal, signed in Washington in January, is part of a series of interlocking agreements caught up in a London court dispute between Airbus and the Gulf carrier over a larger jet.
Airbus requested a copy of the Boeing 737 MAX agreement after the airline brought it up as part of its bid for compensation for damage to the A350, now worth $1.4bn. But Qatar Airways rejected the request on the grounds that the Boeing deal has now “expired”, Airbus said in a UK court filing.
Qatar Airways had no immediate comment. Boeing declined to comment on discussions with airline customers.
Industry sources say provisional contracts or Memoranda of Understanding of the type signed in January are typically valid for a finite period, but can also be renewed or firmed up depending on the intentions of the plane maker and buyer.
Industry publication AirInsight quoted Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker in June as saying it intended to confirm the order for 25 Boeing 737 MAX 10 plus 25 options.
Qatar has refused to take delivery of more Airbus A350s in a dispute over damage beneath their painted skin, prompting Airbus to withdraw a contract to provide it with smaller A321neos.
Meanwhile, Qatar had provisionally ordered the Boeing 737 MAX which competes with the A321neo, sparking the row over whether the Boeing contract could be dragged into the UK court battle.
A British judge was hearing arguments over disclosure of documents on Thursday ahead of a full trial due in mid-2023.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Qatar Airways’ deal with Boeing no longer valid, UK court hears
Rival Airbus tells judge of its attempt to get a copy of the agreement
London — Qatar Airways has indicated that a provisional agreement to buy up to 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets has lapsed, Boeing’s rival Airbus said in a court document released on Thursday.
The deal, signed in Washington in January, is part of a series of interlocking agreements caught up in a London court dispute between Airbus and the Gulf carrier over a larger jet.
Airbus requested a copy of the Boeing 737 MAX agreement after the airline brought it up as part of its bid for compensation for damage to the A350, now worth $1.4bn. But Qatar Airways rejected the request on the grounds that the Boeing deal has now “expired”, Airbus said in a UK court filing.
Qatar Airways had no immediate comment. Boeing declined to comment on discussions with airline customers.
Industry sources say provisional contracts or Memoranda of Understanding of the type signed in January are typically valid for a finite period, but can also be renewed or firmed up depending on the intentions of the plane maker and buyer.
Industry publication AirInsight quoted Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker in June as saying it intended to confirm the order for 25 Boeing 737 MAX 10 plus 25 options.
Qatar has refused to take delivery of more Airbus A350s in a dispute over damage beneath their painted skin, prompting Airbus to withdraw a contract to provide it with smaller A321neos.
Meanwhile, Qatar had provisionally ordered the Boeing 737 MAX which competes with the A321neo, sparking the row over whether the Boeing contract could be dragged into the UK court battle.
A British judge was hearing arguments over disclosure of documents on Thursday ahead of a full trial due in mid-2023.
Reuters
Hello summer! SA’s open for tourists
Sustainable aviation fuels ‘a business opportunity that must be speeded up’
Superjumbos return to skies after tailwind in post-Covid-19 travel
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.