$2bn XWB engine order for Rolls
1 min read
Rolls-Royce has been selected by the US carrier United Airlines to power its new fleet of Airbus A350 extra wide body (XWB) aircraft. The contract, for 25 Airbus A350 XWB engines plus long-term service support, is worth $2 billion (£1.2bn).
The new aircraft – the first United has ordered in more than 10 years – are due to be delivered between 2016 and 2019. In addition, the airline has also announced future purchase rights for a further 50 aircraft. The agreement is Rolls-Royce's first large civil engine contract with United.
United president John Tague said the Trent engines offered the power and economical efficiency the airline expected from the A350 XWB and the performance and reliability its customers expected.
Rolls claims its Trent XWB is the most fuel efficient and environmentally sensitive large engine design on the market, with fuel efficiency ratings 28 per cent higher than pre-Trent generation engines.
With yesterday's (9 December) announcement, firm orders for the Trent XWB engine total more than 1000 from 33 customers. The engine will enter service in 2013, with current orders extending beyond 2020.
