Rolls-Royce secures further orders for Airbus A380 engines
AERO engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce has signed a letter of intent with Japanese airline Skymark Airlines to provide Trent 900 engines to power six of its Airbus A380 aircraft.
The multi-million pound deal, which includes the manufacturer’s TotalCare after-sales package, will see the aircraft enter service in 2014.
Skymark is a new customer for Rolls-Royce, and the airline is the first in Japan to order the Airbus A380. Trent 900 engines powered the very first A380 to enter service in 2007 and have now been selected by 11 of 16 airlines who have ordered the aircraft.
The Trent 900s ordered by Skymark will incorporate design and material enhancements which will yield almost a 2% improvement in fuel efficiency compared with the engines currently in service.
Shinichi Nishikubo, president and chief executive officer, Skymark, said: “Skymark has been evaluating the engines for the A380 since it decided to order the A380 in November 2010. As a result, Skymark came to the conclusion that the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 has superior fuel burn, reliability, economic efficiency and aftermarket support. This is why Skymark concluded that the Trent 900 is the most suitable engine for its operation.”
Jim Sheard, Rolls-Royce senior vice president – civil aerospace, said: “Skymark is a new customer for Rolls-Royce and we are very pleased that they have put their trust in our leading edge engine technology and TotalCare support. This latest order, from a new customer, confirms the Trent 900 as the true market leader and engine of choice for the majority of A380 operators.”
The Trent 900 is currently in service with three airlines and has been selected by all A380 customers to have made engine selection decisions this year. Firm and option Trent 900-powered A380 aircraft on order total 129.
The TotalCare long-term service agreements, in place on 90% of Trent engines, are designed to minimise an airline’s financial risk and enhance operational performance and reliability.
