Emirates: Boeing’s 787 engine lacks ample steam

For months, Emirates has dangled a carrot in front of Boeing’s nose, hinting at a 100-jet order of 787s.

Boeing may lose out on the deal due to insufficient power provided by its GE engines, according to a Bloomberg report out this morning.

“It needs more thrust,” said Tim Clark, Emirates president. “It’s not a view shared by Boeing, but my instinct tells me it needs more.”

Emirates is interested in the 787-10, a larger Dreamliner that Boeing hasn’t offered officially to customers. However, a large order like the one Emirates has proposed could kick-start the -10. The Middle Eastern airline also is eyeing Airbus’s A350.

Boeing offers both GE’s GEnX engine and Rolls-Royce’s Trent 1000 on its 787s. Clark said the Rolls engine might work, but he wants a choice.

Emirates had hoped to announce its order at the Dubai Air Show next month.

Some good news for Boeing came from Air Chinatoday.

Although Airbus officials said the airline was among those considering an A380 buy, Air China’s chairman Li Jixiang said he’s staying with Boeing’s 747.

“Usually it would be better for a carrier to stick to one type of big aircraft in its fleet and better to form a certain scale,” Li said, speaking to reporters. “Otherwise the costs would rise.”