British Airways announced a multi-billion dollar order for up to 42 Boeing 777 fuel-efficient passenger jets on Thursday, just two weeks after Airbus said it would no longer make its A380 superjumbo. Separately, UK engineering group Rolls-Royce said it dived into a net loss last year as its Trent jet engines were hit by costly repairs — as well as the decision by Boeing’s European rival Airbus to pull the plug on the A380. IAG on Thursday said the 777s would replace BA’s Boeing 747s, which were seen as a competitor to the A380.
