Oman Air Selects Trent 700 Engine to Power Two Leased Airbus A330s

Released on Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Rolls-Royce plc today increased its growing presence in the Middle East, where it is playing an important role in the development of the region across all the Group's business sectors, with orders from Oman Air for Trent 700s and from Dubai Petroleum for Avon 200 industrial engines.

Oman Air, the national airline of the Sultanate of Oman, has selected Trent 700 engines to power its new fleet of five purchased and two new leased Airbus A330 aircraft. The value of the business, including a TotalCare® long-term services agreement, is $460 million at list prices, with deliveries due to begin in 2009.

Dubai Petroleum is upgrading a further six industrial Avon gas generators, following a previous order for four conversions, which have already been shipped back to Dubai. Half of its current Avon fleet operating on platforms in the Fateh offshore gas field will now be to the new Avon 200 standard.

The new Trent-powered aircraft - the first widebody jets to be purchased by Oman Air - will allow the Muscat-based airline to significantly expand its international operations.

Ziad Karim Al-Haremi, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said, "Selection of the Rolls-Royce engine represents the beginning of a new relationship for Oman Air on this important fleet of aircraft. The Trent 700 has significant presence in the Middle East .We consider its performance, reliability and operational flexibility as important factors in the selection of our first widebody engine, and the market leadership of the Trent 700 in the region gave us the comfort that it is the right choice for us."

The Trent 700 - the global market leader on the A330 with more than 50 per cent share of orders - also has a strong Middle East footprint. It powers 70 per cent of A330 take-offs in the region.

The engine is also the quietest and cleanest option for the aircraft. A programme of continuous improvement, involving the introduction of the latest Trent family technology to the Trent 700, will also ensure increased benefits to customers, such as the lowest fuel burn of any engine on the aircraft.