Airbus Said to Explore New A330 Engine Favoring One Manufacturer

Airbus Group NV is studying an upgrade of its A330 wide-body jet with more efficient engines in a contest that may pit General Electric Co. against Rolls-Royce Group Plc, people familiar with the plan said.

The European planemaker aims to make a decision about a possible upgrade by the end of March, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. The 20-year-old A330 competes with Boeing Co.’s 787 Dreamliner, which is powered by either GE or Rolls-Royce engines.