Engine Alliance believes Qatar Airways is likely to select an engine to power its Airbus A380s by the end of this year, and feels its competitive position in securing the deal is strong.
Doha-based Qatar begins taking delivery of its five A380s in 2012. Engine Alliance president Jim Moravecek outlined the estimated time period for Qatar's engine decision here at the show. With the company's GP7200s powering A380s for Emirates and Etihad, he believes Engine Alliance is well positioned among carriers in the Middle East.
Less certain is the timing of an engine selection by India's Kingfisher and Grupo Marsans due to the financial situations faced by those carriers, says Moravecek. "We told them: come to us when you're ready to talk," he notes, adding Engine Alliance has yet to hear from the carriers.
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Source: Flight Daily News
