Lufthansa Could Order 20 Boeing Planes
Lufthansa could place firm orders for 20 of the recently-launched 747-8 Intercontinental Boeing planes, as well as taking options for 20 more The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.
But a Lufthansa spokeswoman told CNBC Europe that "no decision has been taken" and that the company does not want to comment on speculation.
The purchase would be a major blow for the Airbus A380, the direct competitor for the 747-8, which has been troubled by a spiraling budget and delays. Lufthansa is already a customer of the A380 and considered the plane a replacement for the aging Boeing 747 fleet; however negative factors may have forced Lufthansa to reconsider its strategy.
If the order is placed with Boeing it could be worth $5 billion at list prices, the Journal reported. But Boeing regularly offers discounts to the list price to customers.
Lufthansa's board is scheduled to meet today to give it final approval according to sources familiar with the situation, the Journal reported.
Boeing's 747-8 Intercontinental launch has already seen orders for 44 freighter versions, but a Lufthansa would relieve sales pressure the company has been feeling.
