Qatar Airways rejects A320neo plane as Airbus awaits engine fix

Toulose

GLITCHES afflicting a new turbine designed to power Airbus Group SE's revamped A320 jetliner have left the European company facing an anxious few months as it waits on engine maker Pratt & Whitney to find a fix.

Qatar Airways is refusing to take the aircraft, named the A320neo for "new engine option", until the issue is resolved, and could even halt a 50-plane order, chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker said on Tuesday. Deutsche Lufthansa AG won't fly the jet beyond the reach of its engineers and Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA said last week that it expects delays to four Neos due this year.