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 Christian Aschman/Cargolux

The cargo carrier refused delivery of the jumbo jets just days before their scheduled delivery date, with CEO Frank Reimen citing “unresolved contractual issues” with the aircraft manufacturer.

Early versions of 747-8’s GE engines did not provide the anticipated fuel efficiency, Bloomberg News quoted Akbar Al-Baker, CEO of Cargolux investor Qatar Airways, as saying. The press agency quoted a Boeing spokesman responding that “even these first airplanes we deliver will have double- digit gains in fuel efficiency” over the 747-400. Cargolux has often cited fuel efficiency as a major factor in its decision to purchase the 747-8s.

The carrier was originally set to receive the first plane in 2009, but design problems pushed back the delivery date by two years. Cargolux, the new model’s launch customers, had firm orders for 13 of the freighters and options to purchase 12 more, the company told Delano earlier this year.

In a brief press statement on Saturday, Cargolux said it would disclose details about the new deal after its board of directors meeting on October 7.

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