SYDNEY, Feb 27 Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd. QAN.AX said on Tuesday it has sele

SYDNEY, Feb 27 (Reuters) Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd. said on Tuesday it has selected General Electric's GEnx engine for its fleet of up to 115 Boeing 787 aircraft.

Qantas said it had made an initial order for 45 aircraft ship sets, valued at A$2 billion ($1.6 billion) in capital and maintenance costs over the life of the engines.

The airline had been evaluating engines for the B787 from GE and Britain's Rolls Royce Group Plc .

Qantas Chief Financial Officer Peter Gregg said the airline chose the GEnx because of its superior performance and environmental impact for the type of operation the aircraft will perform.

($1=A$1.26) REUTERS CS DS1121