Airbus and Qatar Airways resolve A350 dispute

DOHA: Qatar Airways and Airbus announced Wednesday the end of a US$2.5 billion dollar battle over peeling paint on passenger jets before it became an embarrassing court case.

After months of negotiations and talks between French and Qatari leaders, the two sides said they were "pleased to have reached an amicable and mutually agreeable settlement" over the surface degradation that forced the grounding of 29 A350 jets.

Experts said neither side wanted a prolonged court case. Qatar Airways needs jets for its expansion plans while Airbus could not afford to alienate one of its most important customers.