Lufthansa cancels one of 20 Boeing 747-8Is

Lufthansa 747-8I. Courtesy, Boeing

Lufthansa has canceled one of the 20 Boeing 747-8Is it has on order. The aircraft was part of the Intercontinental certification flight test program.
The 747-8 had been scheduled for delivery to Lufthansa last year but Boeing said it “needed to retain the airplane for additional flight testing associated with the 747-8 Performance Improvement Package,” which would have resulted in a two-and-half year delivery delay.
“We think it is a good solution for both companies, in part because of Boeing’s need for this airplane for a flight test program in 2013—and in part because of the chance for Lufthansa to adapt to reduced growth plans,” a Lufthansa spokesperson told ATW. “Nevertheless we remain absolutely committed to the 747-8.”
Lufthansa has taken delivery of four 747-8Is and is scheduled to receive an additional 15.
“Boeing expects that it will be able to find a new customer for this airplane, but is not in a rush to deliver it as it has meaningful work to do in the flight test fleet to certify future product upgrades,” a Boeing spokesperson said. “Subsequent to post-flight test refurbishment, we expect the airplane to be available for redelivery to a new customer in early 2015.”
The German carrier began  747-8I passenger service in June.