Engine Alliance, a team of top US engine makers, said on Thursday it had won a preliminary order to power 10 Airbus A380 superjumbos due to be delivered to Qatar Airways.

The 50/50 joint venture between General Electric and Pratt & Whitney beat UK rival Rolls-Royce to the contract, which is worth $1.4 billion at catalogue prices.

"We are delighted that Qatar Airways has put its faith in us," Engine Alliance chief executive Mary Ellen Jones told Reuters.

"We are working to close the final purchase agreement," she added.

Passenger jets are often sold with a choice of two and sometimes three types of engines which can be selected by the airlines, sparking intense competition between engine makers on the back of Airbus and Boeing jetliner sales.

Qatar Airways doubled its order for the world's largest airliner to 10 aircraft at the Dubai air show in November. – Reuters