Boeing Loses Part of Atlas 747-8 Order on Performance, Delay

[marmar]

(Bloomberg) Boeing Co. (BA) lost an order for three 747-8 freighters as Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc. (AAWW) rejected the planes because of “lengthy delays and performance considerations.”

Atlas, the world’s largest operator of 747 freighters, will now receive nine of the new planes through 2013 instead of 12. The aircraft being dropped were among the earliest 747-8s built, Purchase, New York-based Atlas said in a statement.

The move is “absolutely unrelated” to Cargolux Airlines International SA’s Sept. 16 decision to delay taking its first two planes this week as the 747-8’s initial customer, Jim Proulx, a Boeing spokesman, said in a telephone interview. There are “no new issues” with the jet, he said.

“Though the first airplanes off the line are slightly short of expectations, these early-build models nonetheless will be great airplanes with unparalleled efficiency and low costs,” he said. “We’ll continue to focus on performance improvements that increase the value these airplanes will bring.” ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-21/boeing-loses-atlas-order-for-three-747-8-freighters-on-performance-delays.html