Windrose flights to EX-YU markets suspended

GLOBAL AVIATION NEWS

Qatar - Airbus to have speedy trial

Airbus and Qatar Airways are heading towards a three-month summer trial next year after a UK judge granted the airline a relatively quick timetable while dismissing its procedural claims in a bitter safety and contractual dispute. The judge told a division of London's High Court there was "public interest" in the outcome of the dispute, which has seen the Gulf carrier question the safety of about two dozen grounded A350 long-haul jetliners over flaws in their protective skin. Airbus has acknowledged these and other jets are suffering erosion to the painted surface and a layer of lightning protection but insists with the backing of European regulators they are safe, despite Qatar's refusal to take more deliveries. "I am in absolutely no doubt that this case should be tried as soon as is practically possible", Judge David Waksman said, backing the airline's call for a speedy trial. However, he rejected a bid by the airline to split the trial into two parts to allow Airbus to perform a deeper technical analysis, something the planemaker says it has already done. He also refused to order Airbus to stop formally trying to deliver more A350s to Qatar Airways, or to refrain from re-selling undelivered aircraft, while the dispute drags on. The procedural ruling means Airbus is free to attempt to trigger payment clauses as more planes are built. It can also try to sell A350s that Qatar has rejected to carriers like Air India, which industry sources say could step in as a buyer. Qatar Airways has questioned the jet's defences against lightning, which strikes commercial jets about once a year, and is suing Airbus for $1 billion in damages for idled planes. Airbus has counter-sued for the return of millions of dollars of credits awarded when jets were sold and accused Qatar of refusing to take planes as a device to tackle overcapacity.

Windrose flights to EX-YU markets suspended

NEWS FLASH

All commercial flights to and from Ukraine have been suspended today until further notice due to the closure of Ukrainian airspace as a result of the ongoing conflict with Russia. This has led to the cancellation of Windrose Airlines’ flights from Kiev to Belgrade, Podgorica and Zagreb. Ryanair, which is due to commence operations between Zagreb and Lviv on March 27, has said all its Ukraine operations have been suspended for at least fourteen days. Tickets can still be booked for flights between the two cities. “Ryanair remains committed to our services to/from Ukraine and we look forward to restoring flight services as soon as it is safe to do so”, the low cost carrier said. Two Ukraine International Airlines and one SkyUp Airlines aircraft are currently stationed in Belgrade after being relocated from their bases due to the refusal of insurance companies to provide cover for the jets while in Ukraine.