Qatar Airways and Airbus have agreed drop potentially damaging legal action by settling a dispute over surface damage to the airline’s A350 aircraft.
An out of court settlement was agreed to end the estimated $2 billion row over the safety of the long-haul twin jet.
The two sides came to an agreement ahead of a London court hearing which had been scheduled for June.
The Gulf carrier had questioned the safety of around 24 grounded A350s over flaws in their protective skin and a trial was set after a High Court judge said last year that there was public interest in the case.
However, Qatar Airways and the European manufacturer announced on Wednesday that an “amicable and mutually agreeable settlement” had been reached in the legal dispute.
It centres on “surface degradation” and the grounding of the airline’s A350s.
Qatar Airways said: “A repair project is now underway and both parties look forward to getting these aircraft safely back in the air.
“The details of the settlement are confidential and the parties will now proceed to discontinue their legal claims.
“The settlement agreement is not an admission of liability for either party.
“This agreement will enable Qatar Airways and Airbus to move forward and work together as partners.”