China Airlines selects Rolls-Royce for A350 XWBs

Tuesday, 11 December 2007

Following the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Airbus, Taiwan’s China Airlines has selected Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines for 14 firm and six option Airbus A350 XWB twinjets.

If all the options are exercised, the business, at engine list prices, is potentially worth around $800 million. Deliveries start in 2015.

This is the first time Rolls-Royce has been chosen as an engine supplier by China Airlines. The announcement also marks the debut of the Trent series in Taiwan.

Chairman of China Airlines, Ringo K.S. Chao, said: “As the latest member of its impressive Trent engine family, we are very happy to have chosen the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB. Its advanced technologies and high operating efficiency will make it an outstanding addition to our fleet. This also translates into significant improvements in environmental performance, which will allow us to meet targets for reducing emissions”.

Mark King, President, Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, added: “We look forward to establishing a long and rewarding relationship with China Airlines. Rolls-Royce attaches importance to the Taiwan market, and China Airlines leads the way, having earned a deserved reputation as a forward-looking and innovative carrier.”

Announced orders for the programme, including spare engines, now total over 800 Trent XWBs with 13 customers.

The Trent XWB is available in a range of thrusts from 74,000 to 92,000 lb, and a single engine type will power all versions of the A350 XWB.

Final engine configuration and selection of technologies for the Trent XWB are scheduled to be completed by mid-2008 leading to the start of ground-testing in 2010. A flying test bed programme will begin the following year, followed by airworthiness certification and first flight on the A350 XWB in 2012.

By the time the Trent XWB enters service, Trent series engines will have accumulated more than 75 million flying hours.

Note to Editors

Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, operates in four global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
It continues to invest in core technologies, products, people and capabilities with the objective of broadening and strengthening the product portfolio, improving efficiency and enhancing the environmental performance of its products. These investments create high barriers to entry.
The company has established strong positions within programmes that will shape the power-systems market for many years to come.
The success of its products is demonstrated by rapid and substantial gains in market share. The company now has a total of 54,000 gas turbines in service worldwide and they generate a demand for high-value services throughout their operational lives.
The company seeks to add value for its customers with aftermarket services that will enhance the performance and reliability of its products. Services revenues have grown by 10 per cent per annum compound over the past 10 years.
Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,000 marine customers including 70 navies, and energy customers in 120 countries. Rolls-Royce is a technology leader, employing 38,000 people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in 50 countries.
Annual sales total £7.4 billion, of which 53 per cent are services revenues. The firm and announced order book is £26.1 billion, of which aftermarket services represent 38 per cent, providing visibility of future levels of activity.

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