Laudamotion rejects Lufthansa allegations of late payments

Austrian leisure airline Laudamotion said Monday it had always paid its bills for planes leased from Lufthansa in full and on time, rejecting allegations made by the German rival. The German flagship carrier said Friday that Laudamotion repeatedly failed to meet its contractually agreed lease payment obligations and that it plans to end the leasing agreement for 9 Airbus A320s, nearly half of Laudamotion's fleet. "These accusations are unfounded," Laudamotion MD Andreas Gruber said. "We have paid all our bills on time." A first hearing at a court in Britain regarding the lease agreement is scheduled for Friday. Asked about a plan B in case the court decides in favour of Lufthansa, Gruber said: "There is no need for a plan B."<br/>