TLDR: The oldest Airbus A350 models have paint flacking issues due to different thermal expension of its main body composite material and the copper shell surro

TLDR: The oldest Airbus A350 models have paint flacking issues due to different thermal expension of its main body composite material and the copper shell surrounding it to dissipate electric surge due to thunder strike. The issue is real, has been affecting multiples companies and is acknowledged by Airbus which has apparently improved the paint on its newest models and offers a touchup or total repaint as a solution. Airbus says the issue is purely cosmetic and that the planes are airworthy despite the flacking. The European regulator agreed and at least one European company flew the planes until their scheduled maintenance where the issue was fixed without issue. The Quatar aviation authority didn't agree and grounded the planes of Quatar Airways. Quatar Airways is therefore asking a compensation from Airbus for its grounded planes of 700 millions euros. Airbus refuses to pay and canceled every Quatar Airways orders when the company sued. The situation is murky. Quatar Airways is the national company. Airbus thinks the national aviation authority grounded the planes disingenuously to allow Quatar Airways to claim a compensation as these planes would have been empty anyway due to the pandemic. The situation is interesting because it used to be unusual for plane manufacturers to fight back customers. This underlines a shift in the power dynamic between Airbus and the airlines and highlights how strong a position Airbus has in the duopoly it shares with Boeing.