Asiana Airlines Chooses Trent XWB Engine for Airbus A350 XWB Fleet

Released on Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Rolls-Royce said today that it had reached an agreement with Asiana Airlines of South Korea to supply Trent XWB engines for 30 firm and 10 option Airbus A350 XWB aircraft. Asiana will be the first Korean customer for the Trent aero engine.

If all options are realised, the value of the engine order at list prices is $2.4 billion. In addition, Asiana Airlines will back the Trent XWBs with a long-term TotalCare® agreement.

This is the first time Rolls-Royce has been chosen as an engine supplier by Asiana Airlines, although the airline operates a number of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft powered by the V2500 engine, in which Rolls-Royce is a major shareholder.

Young-Doo Yoon, Executive Vice President of Asiana Airlines, said: "The advanced technologies and high operational efficiency of the Trent XWB will make it an outstanding addition to our fleet. We are also focused on improvements to our environmental profile, and there is no doubt that this latest Trent will make a significant contribution in that area."

Mark King, President, Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, added: "We look forward to establishing a valuable, long-term relationship with Asiana Airlines, which has a deserved reputation as an innovative and forward-looking carrier. Korea represents an important market for Rolls-Royce and I am delighted that we are able to expand our interests in Korea through this first Trent selection."

The first Trent XWB is scheduled to begin ground testing in 2010 and will make its maiden flight on the new Airbus twinjet in 2012.