The Associated Press

TAIPEI, Taiwan - China Airlines, Taiwan's biggest carrier, expects to complete a deal by May to buy engines for 22 new cargo and passenger jets, the first of which are set to join its fleet in the second half of 2003.

Vendors are going to be asked within two weeks to submit proposals, the airline said Thursday. Potential suppliers are expected to include Evendale-based General Electric Co.; Pratt & Whitney; and Rolls-Royce Plc.

Taiwan's Economic Daily News reported Thursday that China Airlines plans to buy about 70 engines for about 24.36 billion New Taiwan dollars ($700 million).

China Airlines spokesman Roger Han declined to confirm the figures.

The airline announced last month a firm order to buy 10 Boeing Co. B747-400 and 12 Airbus A330 planes, on top of options to take delivery of another six A330s.

The list price of each B747-400 is $200 million; that of an A330 is around $158 million.

China Airlines will take delivery of three B747-400 cargo planes in the fourth quarter of this year, Mr. Han said.

The Airbus jets will be deployed on regional routes, while the Boeings will fly to North America and Europe.