Lufthansa: Second Pratt-powered A320neo acceptance was conditional

Lufthansa Group’s acceptance of a second Airbus A320neo was conditional on a compensation agreement because the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofan (GTF) engine is still not operating to full expected performance levels, the airline said. Lufthansa spokesperson Anja Lindenstein said that agreement to accept the second aircraft was made after reaching a compensation deal with Airbus and after further performance improvements were made on the engine. “[Further] software modifications [to the engine] gave improvements, but we also found a way with Airbus so that we can operate this aircraft even though it does not give us the performance we want,” Lindenstein said. She declined to give details of the compensation agreement. “The conditions [under which the second aircraft was accepted] are also in line with the Lufthansa’s requirement that the engine must be improved, because we want to operate the aircraft throughout our European network and not only on domestic routes,” Lindenstein added. She said those requirements must be met before Lufthansa accepts its third A320neo, which is expected to be delivered this summer. The fourth and fifth aircraft are planned for delivery in the fall.<br/>