13th Sep 2006 11:56
13 September 2006 TRENT TO POWER DREAMLINER FLEET FOR CHINA'S FLAG CARRIER Air China has chosen Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines to power its new fleet of15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.The deal, which marks the Trent 1000's first selection by a Chinese carrier, isvalued at $800 million, including a long-term TotalCare‚® maintenance agreement.Deliveries of the aircraft will begin in June 2008.Mr Li Jiaxiang, Chairman of Air China, said: "The decision to select theRolls-Royce Trent 1000 was taken after a careful evaluation and successfulnegotiation. It meets the operational requirements of our Boeing 787 fleet, andthe choice will be beneficial to Air China's development. Air China andRolls-Royce have a well established collaborative relationship, and we believethat this relationship will broaden in future."Simon Robertson, Chairman of Rolls-Royce, said: "Success in the world's fastestgrowing aviation market carries a high level of strategic importance, and thisannouncement by the national airline sends a very positive message."Having also selected a different version of the Trent for its Airbus A330s,Air China has re-confirmed its faith in the Trent series by this latestdecision. We're delighted that the programme's launch order in China comes fromthe country's flag carrier."Air China began taking deliveries this year of 20 Trent 700-powered A330s. Theairline also operates Boeing 757s with Rolls-Royce RB211-535 engines.Rolls-Royce engines are in service with ten Chinese airlines, including thosebased in Hong Kong and Macao.NOTE TO EDITORS: 1. The Trent 1000 will be launch engine on all variants of the Boeing 787. ANA will begin operating the 787-8 in mid 2008, followed by the short-range 787-3 in 2010. In the same year, Air New Zealand plans to enter service with the 787-9. 2. Firm and option orders have now been placed for 154 Trent-powered 787s by eight airlines and aircraft leasing companies 3. The first Trent 1000 ran on schedule in February this year. The engine's maiden flight, on a Boeing 747-200 flying test bed, will take place in the first quarter of 2007 4. Rolls-Royce has been present in China for more than 40 years. China is a significant market for the company's aviation, marine and energy businesses, and an important manufacturing partner. Rolls-Royce has offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian and Hong Kong, and recently opened a new marine facility in Shanghai. It is involved in two joint ventures - Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Ltd. (HAESL), and Xian Rolls-Royce Aerocomponents (XRA). 5. Rolls-Royce is working with the CAAC on the Senior Executives `Top 300' development programme, which this year marked its tenth anniversary with the signing of a 10-year extension. For further information contact:Gary AtkinsCommunications ManagerRolls-Royce plcPO Box 31Derby DE24 8BJUKTel: 44 (0)1332 [email protected] GROUP PLCRelated Shares:
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