Rolls-Royce confirmed that International Airlines Group (IAG) would solidify an order for eight Airbus A350-900 jets, to be powered by the Rolls Trent XWB engines. In addition, those engines will be covered by Rolls’ long-term TotalCare service support program.
The value of the new business commitment was not announced.
The Trend XWB is a new variant of the Trent engine family of turbofan jet engines, developed specifically for the Airbus A350. According to Rolls-Royce, the Trent XWB is “the world's most efficient large civil aero engine and the fastest-selling Trent engine ever, with more than 1,400 already sold.”
The first A350 XWB aircraft powered by Trent XWB engines will go into service later this year.
“IAG is a valued customer, with two airlines operating Trent engines,” according to Eric Schulz, Rolls-Royce president for Civil Large Engines. “The performance of the Trent XWB, with TotalCare support, will maximize aircraft availability."
The Airbus A350 XWB is a series of long-range, “extra wide body” (XWB) airliners with two engines, designed to carry 250-550 passengers, depending on the configuration. Like its direct competitor, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the A350 is designed with extensive use of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer materials for the fuselage and wings, in order to reduce weight and conserve fuel and emissions.
The A350-900 is the initial model in the A350 series, and seats about 300 passengers in a three-class cabin. As of June 2014, Airbus had a total of 742 orders for the A350 XWB from 38 customers worldwide
IAG initially placed its commitment with Airbus in the April 2013, in a “long-haul order” that covered 18 jets and options for 18 more. The new order will see the eight jets in service for IAG’s Iberia, that Spanish carrier, which will become a new operator for the Trent XWB.
“We are very proud that IAG has chosen the A350-900 aircraft for Iberia. We welcome a new operator of the most efficient mid-size long-haul aircraft in the market,” stated John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer, Customers. “The A350XWB is the aircraft of choice in its category and set to become a reference among passengers for its unrivalled cabin comfort and quietness."
