Rolls-Royce said it had received an order for 68 Trent XWB-97 engines from Air India, with options for 20 more, the largest ever Trent XWB-97 order specifically for the Airbus A350 -1000 provides power.
Air India has also ordered 12 Trent XWB-84 engines, the sole engine option for the Airbus A350-900.
This is Air India’s first order for the Trent XWB and the deal will make Air India the world’s largest operator of the Trent XWB-97. Financial details of the order were not disclosed.
Tufan Erginbilgic, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce, said: “Today’s announcement is an exciting and truly extraordinary time for the Tata Group and Air India; the size and magnitude of this order reflects the extent of their ambitions for the future. I congratulate them on this bold step towards becoming one of the greatest airlines in the world, and I would like to thank them for their trust in Rolls-Royce to power them on this journey.
“Air India is the first Indian airline to order the Trent XWB and the size of the commitment (including options) will make them the world’s largest operator of the Trent XWB-97. With a dynamic and growing aviation industry, India It is a strategically important market for us and we look forward to working with Air India as they connect passengers across communities and cultures across the globe.”
The Trent XWB will support the ambitious growth plans of the Tata Group and Air India, providing reliability, flexibility and efficiency to its fleet as it operates ultra-long-haul routes between India and the US. The choice of latest generation Rolls-Royce engines also reflects Tata Group’s vision for Air India to be the world’s most technologically advanced airline, focused on service, competing on the world stage and delivering a first-class customer experience.
As the world’s most efficient aircraft engine in service, the Trent XWB will also let Air India passengers know they are choosing the most sustainable long-haul option. With a 15% fuel consumption advantage over the first generation Trent engine, the Trent XWB further reduces fuel consumption and delivers class-leading performance and noise levels. It is also preparing to operate on a 50 percent sustainable aviation fuel blend.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Rolls-Royce and to have their Trent XWB engine power our new fleet of A350 aircraft. It will play an important role in Vihaan.AI’s overall transformation and growth strategy for Indian airlines by providing us with the reliability and efficiency consumers have come to expect from today’s leading airline.”
The size of the Indian carrier’s order reflects growing demand for air travel in India, which now has the world’s third-largest aviation market and ranks as the world’s fifth-largest economy. Sustained business growth, favorable government policies, continuous infrastructure development, rising disposable income, and travel aspirations of the young and affluent middle class have fueled the rise of the aviation industry.
Industry forecasts show that air passenger traffic in India is expected to grow by more than 6% per annum and the industry will need more than 400 medium and large aircraft to support demand. This makes India a strategically important market for Rolls-Royce as it represents a huge growth potential for its products and services in the distant future.
Rolls-Royce already has a long-term partnership with the Tata Group. These include a strong supply chain commitment with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), manufacturing a large number of components for the Trent XWB engine in India, and several high precision components for other Rolls-Royce commercial aero engines. In addition, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) provides engineering services, specifically supporting our digital engineering and data innovation teams in India. – trade arab news agency