Airbus to sue Skymark in UK court over cancelled A380 contract

TOKYO: European aircraft maker Airbus Group NV is suing Skymark Airlines Inc in Britain, escalating a half-year spat over a cancelled jet order and complicating the efforts of Japan’s third-biggest carrier to rebuild its finances.

The world’s second-largest plane maker “has filed a claim in the English court,” said Tokyo-based Airbus spokeswoman Utako Fujiso. She declined to comment further on the case. Skymark understands that “Airbus is beginning preparations for litigation regarding a penalty for breach of contract,” said Skymark spokesman Hiroyuki Sakata. “Discussions with Airbus towards the resolution of this problem are proceeding and will continue to do so.”

Airbus cancelled a $2 billion (Dh7.35 million) contract with Skymark for six A380 superjumbo passenger jets in July after the carrier struggled to raise cash to pay the instalments.