Taiwanese carrier China Airlines is planning to complete a deal by May 2003 to purchase engines for 22 new jet aircraft.

According to an airline official, within one to two weeks the carrier will ask potential vendors - including US-based Pratt & Whitney, General Electric Co and Rolls-Royce Plc - to submit proposals. It is currently unclear how many engines the carrier is planning to purchase.

China Airlines finalised an agreement for ten Boeing 747-400 and 12 Airbus A330 aircraft in December 2002, The Associated Press reported.

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