Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways has signed a long-term maintenance deal with Engine Alliance for the GP7200 powerplants that will power its Airbus A380s.

Etihad in June 2009 confirmed an order for 45 GP7200 engines to power the 10 A380s which are scheduled to enter the carrier's fleet from 2014.

It has signed up for a long-term Fleet Management Agreement with the Pratt & Whitney/General Electric joint venture.

Etihad and Engine Alliance say the engine agreements are worth up to $1.5 billion.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news