Rolls-Royce receives largest ever order for signature aircraft engine
Rolls-Royce has received the largest ever order for its signature Trent XWB-97 engine, the Derby manufacturing giant has announced.
Air India has purchased 68 Trent XWB-97 engines, which exclusively power the Airbus A350-1000, and has an option to acquire a further twenty.
Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.
The airline carrier has also ordered 12 Trent XWB-84 engines – the sole engine option for the Airbus A350-900.
The deal means Air India is now the largest operator of the Trent XWB-97 in the world.
Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic said: “Today’s announcement marks an exciting and truly remarkable occasion for Tata Group and Air India; the size and magnitude of this order reflects the level of their ambition for the future. I congratulate them on taking this bold step towards becoming one of the world’s greatest airlines and I would like to thank them for putting their trust in Rolls-Royce to power them on this journey.
“Air India is the first Indian airline to order the Trent XWB and the size of the commitment, including options, will make them the biggest operator of the Trent XWB-97 in the world. With a dynamic and growing aviation industry, India is a strategically important market for us and we look forward to working with Air India as they connect their passengers across global communities and cultures.”
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson added: “We are delighted to commence this partnership with Rolls-Royce, and to have their Trent XWB engines power our new fleet of A350 aircraft. We are confident that they will provide us with the reliability and efficiency consumers expect of today’s leading airlines, and thereby play an important part in Vihaan.AI, Air India’s comprehensive transformation and growth strategy.”
