Airbus CEO says in discussion with Qatar on A350 dispute

Airbus is in discussions with Qatar Airways to try to resolve a bitter legal and safety dispute over the A350 passenger jet, the planemaker's CE said on Sunday. "There's progress in the sense that we are communicating; we are working with each other," Guillaume Faury said on the sidelines of an airlines 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." Qatar Airways was not immediately available for comment. The two sides are at loggerheads over the airworthiness 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, backed by European regulators, has acknowledged quality flaws with the jets at several airlines but denies the problems amount to a safety risk, because of backup systems. Qatar Airways, supported by its own national regulator, which has ordered the jets out of service as the problem appears, insists that the safety impact cannot be properly understood until Airbus provides deeper analysis. In an unprecedented London court battle, it is pursuing Airbus for more than $1b in damages, with the value of the carrier's claim rising by $4m per day. "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."<br/>