UK minister offers to mediate Airbus-Qatar Airways dispute

A British minister has offered to mediate in a row between Airbus and Qatar Airways over costly flaws on the surface of the aircraft maker’s A350 passenger jets, three people familiar with the matter said.

Investment Minister Gerry Grimstone made the offer to host a meeting between the sparring groups before the row escalated on Thursday, with Airbus threatening to use a procedure in the English courts to seek an independent legal assessment. 

Asked by Reuters about the prior offer of mediation, a UK official on Friday confirmed the proposal and said it reflected “the importance of Airbus and Qatari investment to the UK”.

Airbus and Qatar Airways both declined to comment. People familiar with the situation said there were few signs that the offer was being taken up as the two sides head towards a legal fight over the impact of paint and other skin flaws on the jets.