Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has completed engine selection for the large aircraft order placed at the Farnborough Air Show in 2008, a source close to the order confirms.

The airline has selected the General Electric GEnx for its 35 Boeing 787s, the Engine Alliance GP7200 for its 10 Airbus A380s and International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500s for its A320s.

The engine order is valued at about $6.7 billion, potentially making it the largest order of the show by value.

Etihad was originally to take four test A380s which would have been delivered with Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines.

But when it increased its order to 10 A380s the carrier opted for all-new aircraft, opening the door for Engine Alliance to flip the engine order in its favour.

The order marks a significant blow to Rolls-Royce which offers the Trent 900 and 1000 engines for the A380 and 787 respectively.

Engine Alliance is a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and GE while International Aero Engines (IAE) is a partnership between Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney.

Etihad's order at the 2008 Farnborough Air Show comprised firm purchases of 35 787-9s and 10 777-300ERs from Boeing and 20 Airbus A320s, 25 A350 XWBs and 10 A380s.

The airline also holds options on a further five A320s, five A380s, 10 A350s, 25 787s and purchase rights for 15 A320s, 15 A350s, five A380s, 10 787s and five 777s.

Boeing's 777-300ER and Airbus's A350 XWB offer a single choice of engine.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news