Lufthansa to receive fewer A320neos than expected this year

Lufthansa is due to receive 5 A320neo jets this year, a spokeswoman said Thursday, half the number it originally expected, as delivery delays hamper the Airbus plane. Lufthansa, which was the first airline to operate the A320neo and took delivery of 5 of the jets in 2016, had said at the end of December that it expected 10 of the medium-haul planes this year. A spokeswoman said Lufthansa was now expecting 5 this year, with the next one slated to arrive in the summer. That could affect Lufthansa's capex plans for this year. The airline said in March it expected to spend E2.7b this year. Airbus delivered 12 A320neos in March to bring the 2017 total to 26, but deliveries remain behind schedule due mainly to problems with engines from Pratt & Whitney, one of two suppliers. <br/>