TAM of Brazil has selected the General Electric (GE) GEnx turbofan to power its ten firm-ordered Airbus A350 widebody twinjets.

The selection of the US manufacturer over Rolls-Royce was widely expected since the carrier uses GE’s CF6 engine to power its A330s and also made a surprise switch to GE’s CFM International joint venture for its newly ordered Airbus narrowbodies after years of relying on International Aero Engines’ V2500.

TAM’s A350 deliveries are due to start in late 2012, and the airline has options on a further five of the type.

Announcing the deal today, GE said it had 122 orders for the GEnx on the A350. It competes with R-R to power both the A350 and Boeing 787.

Flight-testing of the engine on the A350 is due to start in 2009, leading to certification in 2010.

Source: Flight International

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