Cargolux is expected to take delivery this month of its first 747-8 freighter after settling a contract dispute with Boeing over the performance of the aircraft.
Cargolux, which was originally due to accept delivery of the first plane two weeks ago, said it will give more details after it finalizes the deal at a board meeting on Friday.
Cargolux rejected delivery of the 747-8 because there was a 2.7 percent shortfall in fuel-efficiency guarantees, according to Akbar Al-Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways, which recently acquired a 35 percent stake in the Luxembourg-based carrier.
Cargolux, which said over the weekend it reached a “tentative” agreement with Boeing, is expected to take delivery of the first 747-8 around Oct. 12.
Al-Baker said the postponement of the 747-8 was not related to Qatar Airways’ negotiations over compensation for a delayed order for Boeing 787 passenger jets.
Following Cargolux’s deferral of the 747-8 deliveries, Atlas Air canceled the first three of 12 planes the all-cargo airline had ordered, citing “lengthy delays and performance considerations.”
Cargolux has ordered 13 747-8 freight out of a total order book for far of 75 of the aircraft, which have a list price of $319.3 million.
