GE finances first A350 powered by rival Rolls-Royce

Paris

WHEN the Airbus A350 jet made its commercial debut with Qatar Airways last week, the event marked a milestone for engine supplier Rolls-Royce - but slipping unnoticed under the radar with financing was its arch-rival General Electric (GE).

Although powered by the latest generation of Rolls-Royce engines, the first of a new series of jets on which the company has bet its civil business is owned by GE's aircraft leasing arm Gecas, Reuters has learned.