Rolls to power Gulfstream jets

EXECUTIVES who regularly use private aircraft will have renewed confidence following the decision by Gulfstream Aerospace to equip its new V-SP twin-engined business jet with Rolls-Royce engines.

Recent surveys show that businessmen's confidence in flight is increased when they see the Rolls-Royce emblem on a plane's engines.

Gulfstream has placed an order worth $2bn (£1.4bn) for 300 Rolls-Royce BR710 engines and has taken an option on another 300.

The engine, which is produced by Rolls-Royce Deutschland at its Dahlewitz factory near Berlin, will be the sole power plant for the new executive jet, which is expected to dominate the market when it goes into production.

The corporate aircraft engines market was worth $2.5bn last year, with Rolls-Royce taking a 32% share by value.

After surging as high as 167 1/2p, the shares fell back and closed at 144 1/2p - a fall of 5 3/4p.