Rolls-Royce secures two further international engine deals
AERO engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce has announced two large orders with international airlines.
In the first, the company has secured a deal worth £180m ($280m) from Colombian airline Avianca for Trent 700 engines to power four Airbus A330 freighter aircraft.
The contract, which includes long-term TotalCare® services support, confirms a Memorandum of Understanding announced in November 2011.
The four A330s will be operated by AviancaTaca subsidiary Tampa Cargo, which will establish Tampa Cargo as the first A330 freight operator in Latin America.
The AviancaTaca group currently operates seven passenger Trent 700-powered A330s, with another three of the aircraft on firm order.
Fabio Villegas, President and CEO, AviancaTaca, said: “The Trent 700 is the most fuel efficient, cleanest and quietest engine for the Airbus A330 and we are pleased to extend the engine’s use to freight operations in the region.”
Peter Turner, Rolls-Royce, Civil Aerospace Vice President – Customer Business, said: “The Trent 700 continues to be the most popular choice for Airbus A330 operators who want a reliable and cost-effective engine solution. We look forward to building on our already successful relationship with AviancaTaca.”
The Trent 700, the only engine specifically designed for the Airbus A330, is the market leader for the aircraft, with more than 1,400 in service or on order. More than 90% of Trent engine operators have selected TotalCare support.
Rolls-Royce has also been selected by Cathay Pacific Airways to provide Trent XWB engines to power 10 of its Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. The contract, which is subject to the approval of the airline, includes long-term TotalCare® service support.
In addition, the airline will convert 16 orders for Airbus A350-900 aircraft to A350-1000s. All 26 aircraft will be powered by the higher-thrust version of the Trent XWB engine, the most advanced large civil aircraft engine on offer in the world and will enable Airbus to offer increased range and capacity for the A350-1000 aircraft.
Mark King, Rolls-Royce, President – Civil Aerospace, said: “We are delighted Cathay Pacific Airways has selected an engine that is already delivering world-leading levels of efficiency in its flight trials.
“Cathay’s decision represents a vote of confidence in the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft and the technology that has created the higher thrust version of the Trent XWB. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the airline.”
The Trent XWB is specifically designed for the Airbus A350 XWB family and is the fastest selling Trent engine ever, with more than 1,100 already sold. The 97,000lb thrust version of the engine is the exclusive powerplant for the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft.
