By Tim Hepher

LONDON (Reuters), -Qatar Airways asserted Thursday that Airbus, planemaker in dispute over a contract and safety issue, moved the target posts by increasing the maximum number of flaws to its A350 jetliner. They are currently locked in an intense dispute about damage to the anti-lightning net within the A350 plane’s skin. Qatar alleges that it has been forced to cancel deliveries after the dispute.

Philip Shepherd of Qatar Airways said at a London court hearing that “one wouldn’t want to sit under a roof that conditions” in reference to damage to the fuselage on Qatari jets.

Airbus stated to the court that their 25-year, $18 billion relationship with Gulf carriers had “seriously failed” in light of the upcoming corporate divorce proceedings in the global jet market.

Qatar grounded 23 A350 planes. They expressed concern over gaps in the lightning protection layer left exposed by cracking or bubbling paint.

Airbus has been sued for increasing damages that exceed $1 billion. It said it would not accept any further deliveries until the issue is fully resolved.

While the largest planemaker in the world has admitted to quality problems, the company insists they are within safety tolerances. They also note that European regulators consider the jets safe for flight and allow other airlines to keep them flying.

Lightning is a common occurrence. The A350 has a foil layer to protect the lightweight carbon fuselage. Its aluminum counterpart, however, is more conductive.

Airbus stated in a witness statement, that it increased the area of the A350’s missing mesh to 1,000 mm2 (200 mm2) following recent analyses.

Shepherd stated that it was simply making their goal smaller, at least half the way through the game. Shepherd spoke about Airbus’ move to raise a maximum amount of damage allowed.

A spokesperson for Airbus said that Qatar’s comments were a misrepresentation. According to Airbus, the Qatar Airways damage and that of other carriers are far less than what would be required for safety concerns.

WIDENING DISPUTE

Airbus, in reprisal for Qatar refusing to take delivery of additional A350s from Qatar, cancelled a Qatari A321neo order.

Qatar requested a UK judge to grant an extension of injunction to freeze cancellations pending the outcome of a lengthy trial that is expected to take place over months. A321neo’s first delivery is scheduled for 2023.

Airbus claimed that it cancelled the order in an attempt to press Qatari over A350. Airbus also accused Qatari’s largest A350 customer of creating the dispute to obtain paper and compensation due to a drop in demand.

Qatar will request an injunction. To decide, the judge will consider which side has the most to lose as well as whether the plane is unique within its class.

This issue is at the core of Airbus’s fight for sales against rival Boeing (NYSE:), in the busiest market. It prompted arguments in court, which appeared to be in contrast to rhetoric in the jet markets.

Airbus is outselling Boeing four times to one in the upper end of the single-aisle market. Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer, stated that last year’s A321neo offered “unmatched capabilities and operating economics.”

Airbus stated that Qatar Airways would replace its cancelled A321neos by the Boeing 737 MAX or other Airbus aircraft. These were statements Airbus made in pre-filed documents to the court.

Qatar Airways was allowed to showcase the A321neo’s unique qualities, but it faced multiple questions by the judge about whether or not the airline could use leasing companies or Boeing.

Pre-hearing statements shed light on industrial planning, details about aircraft negotiations and other topics that tend to be kept secret.

It has brought to light delicate relations between France and Airbus, which is situated in France. This comes at a time where Qatar’s role of a producer of gas has become more prominent as Europe seeks less dependence on Russia.

Reuters spoke to airline chiefs who did not agree with Qatari concerns about the A350’s airworthiness. However, they expressed frustration over A350 defects and alarm at the A350 dispute that has broken a safety consensus. It is bad for the industry. “They both have to leave the courtroom and come up with an agreement,” said the Chief Executive of one Airbus Customer.