Airbus has carried out design changes to A350 passenger jets amid a $2b dispute with Qatar Airways over surface damage, which spilled over to a debate on security on Thursday. The two companies have been fighting in court for months over the safety impact of flaking paint that exposed corrosion or gaps in a sub-layer of metallic lightning protection. At the heart of the case is a sandwich of copper foil between the carbon fuselage and outer paint on A350 jets, designed to allow lightning strikes to wash away safely. Reuters first reported in November 2021 that Airbus was studying a new type known as perforated copper foil, initially because it was lighter than the current expanded copper foil, but also because it would ease cracking. Qatar told a London court on Thursday that Airbus had started implementing the change and called for more information. Airbus confirmed its partial use from late last year. "PCF is being used on rear-section parts on aircraft delivered from the end of 2022," an Airbus spokesman said. Wrapping up the latest preliminary hearing, Judge David Waksman described the decision to start using the new design as significant to the case. Qatar Airways has blamed the damage on a possible design defect. Airbus argues the former design remains state of the art and is safe.<br/>
oneworld
A survey by Malaysia’s flag carrier sent to its customers asking for their opinion on whether its iconic kebaya uniforms should be “refreshed” to make it more inclusive has sparked fierce debate from various quarters. Some members of the public have called for others to support the female cabin crew’s choice to don the tudung, while others say the current uniforms are an “icon of Malaysia”. In the online survey sighted by CNA, Malaysia Airlines Berhad on Monday asked its customers for their opinion on whether the airline should put “a more modest twist” to the kebaya uniform. “Moving into the new year, we would like to take this opportunity to refresh our uniforms once again, embracing more inclusivity while still maintaining our classic Malaysia Airlines elegance,” read the survey. The survey also asked whether the airline should make changes to the kebaya design to give cabin crew members the option to don a “hijab” - also known as tudung - while serving onboard. MAB noted in its survey that its kebaya uniform “is arguably the most recognisable Malaysian kebaya locally and internationally.” However, in a follow-up question, the airline wrote that it welcomed customers' suggestions as to whether it should move away from the kebaya uniform and choose a more “modest and practical” uniform for its crew members as seen at other airlines. <br/>