Airbus delays delivery of long-range A330neo

Airbus Group has delayed delivery plans for one of its newest long-range planes, adding to pressure on the European plane maker to meet commitments to airline customers. TAP Portugal CE Fernando Pinto Friday said the carrier’s first A330neo plane wouldn't arrive until March 2018. Airbus had initially promised the plane would be delivered around the end of next year. Airbus is upgrading its A330 widebody with engines made exclusively by Rolls-Royce Holdings. The enhancement, called the A330neo for new engine option, promises greater fuel efficiency and range. Airbus declined to comment. For Toulouse, France-based Airbus, it is the latest in a string of setbacks which have hit the airplane maker. Airbus is struggling to meet a target to deliver more than 670 planes this year. The company has to deliver at least a record 94 planes this month to achieve that promise to shareholders. Plane deliveries are crucial to Airbus’s cash flow.<br/>