Insight - Costly Airbus paint flaw goes wider than the Gulf

Surface issue: An Airbus plane is seen at the Airbus Canada LP assembly and finishing site in Canada. Airlines are raising concerns about paint peeling off on its aircraft. ― Bloomberg

A dispute between Airbus and Qatar Airways over paint and surface flaws on A350 jets stretches beyond the Gulf, with at least five other airlines raising concerns since the high-tech model entered service, according to documents seen by Reuters and several people with direct knowledge of the matter.

Qatar’s national carrier has grounded 20 of its 53 A350s, saying it is acting on orders from its local regulator, until reasons for what witnesses describe as the blistered and pock-marked appearance of some of its A350s can be confirmed.