The European Commission formally approved the engine alliance between General Electric and Pratt & Whitney in a move that clears the use of their jointly developed engine on the proposed A3XX.

The alliance between the two rival engine manufacturers was formed in 1996, with its goal being to develop an engine to power either the superjumbo A3XX by Airbus or an extended-size Boeing 747 derivative.

With the EC approval, the GE-P&W engine alliance will be able to offer the GP7000 for the A3XX. US regulators approved the engine alliance back in 1996.

The alliance will conduct its first core rig testing for the GP7000 in October. The first complete engine testing will begin in July 2002. Plans call for certification of the engine at 75,000 pounds of thrust by the FAA and JAA in November 2003.

Pratt & Whitney is responsible for the design and fabrication of the fan, low pressure compressor, low pressure turbine and gear train. GE Aircraft Engines is responsible for the engine core, which consists of the high pressure compressor, high pressure turbine and combustor.