UPDATE 1-Iberia reschedules new Airbus deliveries, to withdraw 14 A340s

(Adds comments from a company spokeswoman)

MADRID, June 18 (Reuters) - Iberia has rescheduled
deliveries of Airbus A350 and A320neo aircraft, and
plans to withdraw 14 older Airbus A340 jets from its fleet, as
the coronavirus crisis curbs air travel.

The airline had planned to get rid of the 14 A340 jets over
several years but will now do it by the end of the year, a
company spokeswoman said on Thursday, confirming a report from
local newspaper Cinco Dias.

She declined to elaborate on the new schedule for the
aircraft deliveries.

The Madrid-based carrier, part of International Consolidated
Airlines Group, will adapt its fleet to suit demand
through leasing contracts, the newspaper said, citing internal
company information.

Iberia CEO Luis Gallego said this week that he expected the
fleet to remain smaller for the next five years.

(Reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by Jesús Aguado and Pravin
Char)