Rolls-Royce abandons engine project with UTC

A Rolls Royce engine on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in Seattle, Washington. (AFP/Stephen Brashear)

LONDON: Rolls-Royce, the British maker of aircraft engines, said on Thursday that it had agreed with US group United Technologies Corp to abandon their joint project to power mid-size planes, citing regulatory issues.

Rolls said however that it remained "fully committed" to the sector.

"In October 2011, Rolls-Royce and United Technologies Corp. (UTC) announced their intention to form a new joint venture to develop an engine to power future mid-size aircraft (120-230 passenger aircraft)," Rolls said in a short statement.

"Following further discussion, and because of the current regulatory environment, the parties have agreed not to proceed with the partnership."

The statement added: "Rolls-Royce remains fully committed to this important market segment and will continue to invest in technologies that will enable us to take advantage of opportunities as they arise."