Ethiopian Airlines has selected the General Electric GEnx engine to power its Boeing 787s.

The carrier has firm orders for 10 787s, but until now has not specified an engine type.

“After extensive evaluation, Ethiopian has now decided on the GEnx for installation on the new generation aircraft,” the airline says in a brief statement posted on its website.

The order, for 20 engines and three spares, has a list price value of $276 million, says a GE spokesman.

Ethiopian will be the first African carrier to operate the 787 when it takes delivery of its first aircraft in 2008.

MARY KIRBY / PHILADELPHIA

Source: Flight International