Aircraft

The recent ownership change at Qantas has led to a delay in the selection of an engine supplier for its Boeing 787s until next month.

Qantas has 45 787-8/9s on order - the first 12 of which will be delivered to low-cost arm Jetstar from August 2008 - while Fijian affiliate Air Pacific has a separate order for five 787-9s for delivery from 2011. Qantas has been evaluating the General Electric GEnx against the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 since the 787 deal was signed in late 2005.

Air Pacific chief executive John Campbell says its engine selection is linked to that of Qantas, and the Australian carrier's board has delayed making a decision until February. "The engine selection is a joint evaluation and decision with Qantas, so that we can 'piggyback' on price and support benefits negotiated through their very much larger order," says Campbell.

"The Qantas board was rather preoccupied with other matters in late December, so the engine recommendation did not go forward to the December board [and] it has been deferred until February," says Campbell, referring to Qantas's recent position as a takeover target.

In December a group of private equity firms, led by Australia's Allco and Macquarie Bank, submitted a takeover bid for Qantas group, which the board has since recommended to its shareholders.

For more Boeing 787 production news, please visit our 787 profile page