Rolls-Royce lands major contract with Cathay Pacific
Rolls-Royce has secured a contract to supply engines for a new fleet of aircraft ordered by Cathay Pacific.
The engineering firm, with its civil aerospace division based in Derby, will deliver 60 Trent 7000 engines to power 30 Airbus A330-900 aircraft ordered by the Hong Kong airline.
Cathay Pacific has also signed a TotalCare service agreement for the fleet. TotalCare shifts the risk of maintenance costs and time on wing to Rolls-Royce.
Ewen McDonald, chief customer officer for Rolls-Royce (civil aerospace), said: “The Trent 7000, coupled with TotalCare, is a compelling proposition for airline customers and this order shows significant confidence in the Trent 7000/A330neo combination.
“This will make Cathay Pacific the world’s largest operator of Trent 7000 engines, which will benefit from the £1bn investment we’re making to the Trent engine family. All of us at Rolls-Royce are proud of the trust that Cathay Pacific is placing in us, and we look forward to supporting these new aircraft as they enter service.”
The Trent 7000, the latest addition to Rolls-Royce’s Trent engine family, powers the Airbus A330neo. The A330neo paired with the Trent 7000 offers a 14% reduction in fuel burn per seat compared to its predecessor, the A330 with the Trent 700, while also significantly reducing emissions.
A “Durability Enhancement” package has been introduced for the Trent 7000, more than doubling the engine’s time on wing. An additional set of “hot-section” enhancements is expected to improve durability by up to 30%.
The engine is currently certified to operate on a 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend and has been tested for compatibility with 100% SAF for future use.
Alex McGowan, chief operations and service delivery officer ay Cathay Pacific, said: “We are delighted to announce this order for 30 Trent 7000 powered A330-900 aircraft, which will be a natural replacement for our A330ceo aircraft.
“The Trent 7000/A330neo combination will provide excellent comfort for our passengers as well as improved fuel efficiency to help us achieve our sustainability goals.”
