Shares in engine-maker Rolls-Royce have been lifted by the announcement that Boeing has won its first customer for the new 7E7 Dreamliner.

Rolls-Royce is competing with US giant General Electric to win a contract to supply engines for 50 Dreamliner aircraft ordered by All Nippon Airways (ANA).

A deal would be worth about two billion dollars (£1.1 billion) to Rolls-Royce, with the prospect of other airlines placing orders for the planes.

ANA said deliveries of the Dreamliner would begin in 2008.

Shares in Rolls-Royce have risen by 34 per cent this year to 234.25p.

Tuesday April 27, 2004