They also said that having a second engine maker would provide technical insurance should the Pratt & Whitney engines develop problems.

The engine makers, parts suppliers and plumbers of the Internet have been responsible for the snap back this week in technology stocks.

Passive opposition from the engine maker among other factors is claimed to have sabotaged its chances of success.

The engine maker hopes to reduce its payroll through attrition and voluntary departures.

Until today, the issue of whether the engine maker, the plane's builder or the airline bore primary responsibility had not been settled by the board.

The engine makers say they can adapt much of the technology now used to power Boeing's wide-body 777.

Boeing and those engine makers are also seeking to skip the test period for 777's with those engines.

Within a decade the firm would be regarded as the top engine maker in the country.

Thus Korolev began his most ambitious undertaking without the services of the country's top engine maker.

Automotive analysts said the choice of Volkswagen as the engine maker was intended to reduce any future environmental objections.