United Removes Airbus A350 From Future Fleet Plan Amid Engine Dispute

United Airlines has quietly taken the Airbus A350 off the list of aircraft it expects to introduce over the coming years, a change disclosed in its annual SEC filing that reflects an escalating commercial conflict with the A350’s engine supplier. The carrier is asserting that the UK engine manufacturer failed to honor a long‑standing purchase agreement for powerplants, a contention that has migrated from procurement discussions into formal legal territory. Removing the A350 from planning documents is more than a paper exercise: it signals a pause in commitment that affects delivery schedules, route planning and residual value expectations for affected aircraft. For United, the move preserves negotiating leverage while reducing near‑term exposure to engines it may not be able to field or support on the timetable it needs. For the engine maker, the dispute threatens warranty, support and aftermarket revenue streams that are a material portion of turbofan lifetime value. Airbus sits between them: the OEM faces potential delays in delivering aircraft with certified propulsion packages and an upstream hit to production cadence if large purchasers defer or cancel. Investors and lessors will watch residual value and utilization metrics; uncertainty typically depresses asset valuations and complicates leasing deals. The public disclosure in a 10‑K also escalates regulatory and market scrutiny, which can constrain private settlement flexibility and increase legal costs. Operational teams at United will have to hedge capacity risk — by extending existing frames, shifting routes, or pursuing alternative aircraft types — while recalibrating long‑range fleet models. The wider aerospace supply chain feels the reverberation: maintenance partners, training programs and spare‑parts networks all depend on stable engine‑airframe pairings. A negotiated resolution could restore the status quo but is likely to include commercial concessions, revised timelines or enhanced support commitments; litigation would extend uncertainty and raise potential damages. Ultimately, this episode underscores how supplier disputes over a single component can cascade into strategic fleet choices and market valuations across airlines, OEMs and engine manufacturers.