Rolls-Royce reflects on highly successful Dubai Air Show

Rolls-Royce is reflecting on a highly successful Dubai Air Show where it secured a number of deals for its aero engines.

At the event last week, the engineering giant, which has its civil aerospace division in Sinfin, Derby, penned orders with some of the world’s biggest airlines, including Etihad Airways, Emirates and Air Europa.

Etihad and Air Europa confirmed their intention to expand their widebody fleets with aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce’s aero engines.

Meanwhile, Emirates signed agreements relating to the maintenance, repair and overhaul of its existing Trent 900-powered fleet.

Rolls-Royce is currently investing £1 billion across its modern Trent engines to increase their durability by an average of 80%, with a significant portion being delivered in 2025.

Rob Watson, Rolls-Royce’s president of civil aerospace, said: “Our Middle Eastern customers continue to perform strongly on the global stage, and we are investing in our engines and services to match that ambition.”

Etihad Airways’ order consists of 15 Airbus A330 Neo aircraft powered by the Trent 7000; seven Airbus A350-1000 aircraft powered by the Trent XWB-97; and 10 Airbus A350F freighter variants also powered by the Trent XWB-97.

The Trent 7000 is the latest addition to the Rolls-Royce Trent family of engines and exclusively powers the Airbus A330neo.

After entering service at the end of 2018, the Trent 7000 has flown more than three million hours, delivering exceptional reliability, sustainable performance and proven versatility.

The Trent XWB-97 has proven its reliability and durability over seven years of service and more than three million engine flying hours.

Air Europa has announced it intends to expand its widebody fleet with 40 Airbus A350-900 aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB-84 engines.

Ewen McDonald, chief customer officer for civil aerospace at Rolls-Royce, said: “Air Europa is already a valued customer, so it’s extremely exciting to deepen that relationship as we welcome them into the Trent XWB family.

“The continued popularity of the Airbus A350-900 powered by the Trent XWB-84 is important to us and we look forward to working with Air Europa as they embark on their fleet renewal.”