Engine Alliance closes in on R-R in fight to power A380

Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC

The General Electric/Pratt & Whitney Engine Alliance is set to close the Rolls-Royce Trent 900's market lead on the Airbus A380. The joint venture has received its first orders for the rival GP7000 powerplant from Air France and FedEx Express with the prospect of additional follow-on deals before the end of the year.

The Engine Alliance hopes to start drawing level with R-R following engine orders from Air France and FedEx covering 20 A380s and 24 options. R-R to date has announced engine deals with Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic for 28 of the 550-seat aircraft with 29 options.

Air France is understood to have finalised a contract to be the launch application for the 76,500lb-thrust (340kN) GP7277 on 10 aircraft, with first delivery in the last quarter of 2006. This is no more than nine months after the first R-R powered A380. Formal announcement of the engine deal awaits Air France firming up its A380 letter of intent.

FedEx is also believed to have settled on the GP7000 engine for the 10 A380-800Fs it announced plans to order earlier this year, with first delivery set for 2008. The deal is potentially of even greater significance given that the express courier company has options for up to 20 more ultra-large freighters.

Several other A380 customers have yet to formally announce their choice of engines, but it is thought likely Emirates will opt for the Trent 900 and Qatar Airways the GP7000 based on existing equipment lines. International Lease Finance's final choice will be determined by the lessee of its A380s, with Air France looking at three aircraft, according to sources.

While the Trent 900 is the initial certification application and controls a commanding lead, the Engine Alliance is aiming for at least a 40% market share in the near term. There is a series of pending new A380 orders which would favour the GP7000, including a planned Lufthansa requirement for 10 aircraft and General Electric Capital for 12.

Source: Flight International