Raytheon Technologies hosts supplier event with Pratt & Whitney F135 partners on Engine Core Upgrade

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WASHINGTON D.C., Feb. 28, 2023 – Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX) hosted a supplier event today on behalf of Pratt & Whitney, makers of the F135 engine, which powers the F-35 Lightning II. Approximately 80 attendees representing F135 U.S.-based suppliers from 24 states flew in for the one-day event on Capitol Hill to learn more about the F135’s Engine Core Upgrade (ECU), a critical effort to modernize the engine to meet the jet’s growing power needs.

“We’ve worked closely with our supply chain partners for nearly two decades to power the F-35,” said Jen Latka, vice president of F135 programs at Pratt & Whitney. “Their commitment to this program is vital to ensuring the F135 Engine Core Upgrade delivers the thrust, range, and power the F-35 needs to counter advanced threats.”

Pratt & Whitney’s ECU is the only solution suitable for all F-35 variants and available starting in 2028. It will yield $40 billion in savings, a number that’s largely driven by the F135 program’s ability to leverage the current industrial base.

“Misinformation around the health of the military fighter engine industrial base is prolific,” said Jeff Shockey, senior vice president of Global Government Relations for Raytheon Technologies. “Right now, as the industrial base stands today, it is healthy and balanced. It needs to stay that way. From both a warfighter and a taxpayer perspective, upgrading the existing engine is the only solution for the F-35.”

To learn more about the F135’s Engine Core Upgrade, please visit us here www.F135enginecoreupgrade.com

About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units. To learn more visit prattwhitney.com. To receive press releases and other news directly, please sign up here.

About Raytheon Technologies
Raytheon Technologies is the world’s largest aerospace and defense company. Our global team of 180,000 employees pushes the limits of known science and redefines how we connect and protect our world. We are advancing aviation, building smarter defense systems and creating innovations to take us deeper into space. The company, with 2022 sales of $67 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

Media contact:
Abe Sipe, Pratt & Whitney Communications
media@prattwhitney.com

Accelya – NDC ADOPTION: Tools for a Successful Partnership Commercial Toolkit

Are you considering implementing IATA NDC? Do you want to grow the success of your strategy? Do you need help encouraging your airline’s travel partners to migrate to NDC platforms? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, download the “NDC adoption: Tools for a successful partnership” commercial toolkit, where Accelya’s Bill Cavendish looks at some of the most common and potent adoption strategies.

A successful NDC partnership is one where travel partners engage positively with an airline to sell more and different content through new and richer channels. During the more than 10-year journey, pioneer airlines have pursued various strategies to encourage travel partners to move from consuming content through the Global Distribution Systems to NDC.

The big question for every airline is what adoption strategy will work best for them. Well, it depends. Each strategy employs “levers” of content differentiation or commercial terms to achieve the desired results.

If you’re still deciding what the best strategy for your airline is, Accelya’s commercial toolkit can guide you. It also includes Tye Radcliffe’s exclusive comparison of the various NDC adoption strategies. Tye is Accelya’s SVP of Product Strategy for the Order group, so he knows the results strategies like carrot, stick, or the wholesale model can give your airline.

Get your copy of the NDC adoption commercial toolkit here or visit www.accelya.com for more information.

SUID CARGO – Launch of South Africa’s Newest Cargo Airline

  • Suid Cargo will commence non-scheduled cargo flights from its hub at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport in the second quarter of 2023. 
  • Suid Cargo will initially lease a Boeing 727-200 freighter from Astral Aviation, with plans to acquire additional freighters such as Embraer 190 Freighter and Airbus 320F or Boeing 737-800F in 2024. 
  • Suid Cargo will operate to over 20 destinations to Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi Mauritius, Zambia, Namibia, D R Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Angola and Rwanda thus promoting exports from South Africa including transit shipments and ‘Sea Air’ Cargo from Durban and Cape Town Airports. It plans to transition to a Scheduled Carrier in 2024 and to operate on the domestic network.

Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa. Suid Cargo Airlines, South Africa’s newest Cargo Airline, will begin non scheduled flights from its hub at OR Tambo International Airport in the second quarter of 2023 utilising a leased Boeing 727-200F from Kenya’s Astral Aviation Ltd, in addition to Astral’s Boeing 747-400F, Boeing 767 and Boeing 757F on charter basis.

Making the announcement at the Air Cargo Africa 2023 event in Johannesburg, Thomas Honiball, Accountable Manager and CEO, states that it plans to acquire additional freighters in 2024 which will comprise of narrow body freighters such as the Airbus 320F or Boeing 737-800F in addition to the Embraer 190 Freighters in 2025.

According to Astral Aviation’s CEO, Sanjeev Gadhia, “We are honoured to support South Africa’s newest Cargo Airline, Suid Cargo Airlines, initially with our Boeing 727-200F and to offer our fleet of B747-400F, B767F and B757F on charter basis, which will enable the start up Cargo airline to scale its operations to cover Southern, West and East Africa including Asia, Middle East and Europe.

Kevin Moodley, Commercial Director of Suid Cargo Airlines, explains that the new airline will promote exports from South Africa in addition to transit shipments to over 20 African destinations, and will have a unique Sea-Air Cargo product from the Ports of Durban and Cape Town thus reducing transit time to the land locked regions in Africa.

Suid Cargo will enter into long term partnership with freight forwarders, consolidators, integrators, e-commerce retailers and shipping lines in addition to interlining with African and Foreign Airlines to promote the Johannesburg Hub with plans to transition to scheduled services in 2024 which will include operating a domestic network.

For media inquires.

Mr Thomas Honiball      thomas@suid-cargo.com

Mr Kevin Moodley.       kevin@suid-cargo.com

Pratt & Whitney GTF™ Engines to be Overhauled in New, Dedicated Delta TechOps Facility

Delta’s new 155,000-square-foot facility exemplifies investments being made to support the growing demand for GTF engines

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ATLANTA, Feb. 7, 2023 – Delta TechOps and Pratt & Whitney today celebrated the unveiling of a new, larger TechOps engine overhaul facility dedicated to the global Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine MRO network.

The 155,000-square-foot facility in Atlanta will house disassembly, assembly and test capability for engines powering Airbus A220 and A320neo family aircraft. Leadership from Delta and Pratt & Whitney were in attendance alongside Commissioner Pat Wilson from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, media and employees.

“As both a customer and a member of our GTF MRO network, our relationship with Delta is one underpinned by transparency, teamwork and commitment. For more than 90 years, we have worked together to overcome challenges and find creative, mutually beneficial solutions,” said Shane Eddy, president of Pratt & Whitney. “This beautiful larger facility marks the latest chapter in our shared commitment to providing customers with world-class MRO service and exemplifies the growing demand for GTF engines.”

With more than 10,000 engine orders and commitments from more than 90 customers, GTF engines now power more than 1,400 aircraft with 64 operators across three aircraft families. To keep pace with the growing fleet, the GTF MRO network continues to expand around the globe.

“Pratt & Whitney is facing a steep ramp in MRO output this year and the coming years,” said Rick Deurloo, president, Commercial Engines, Pratt & Whitney. “Our GTF MRO Network is making significant investments to ensure our customers’ needs remain our top focus and our overhaul services quickly return engines to service. Delta’s new overhaul shop will significantly increase the number of engines they service each year.”

“Pratt & Whitney GTF engines will not only power Delta’s fleet of the future, but many other commercial operators in the Americas and beyond,” said Mahendra Nair, Delta’s Senior Vice President, TechOps Operations and Supply Chain. “The opening of this new facility will help us continue to provide dependable jobs and dependable engines for years to come.”

Delta’s larger facility will allow the shop to overhaul more than 300 GTF engines per year. A member of the GTF MRO Network since 2019, Delta TechOps inducted its first PW1100G-JM engine in 2020 and its first PW1500G engine earlier this year at the end of January within the new facility.

“We are incredibly proud of our new engine shop and what it means for the future of Delta, our customers and our partnership with Pratt & Whitney,” said Don Mitacek, Delta’s Senior Vice President of TechOps and President, Delta TechOps Services Group. “The investments we’ve made in new capabilities and facilities over the past five years solidifies our position as a strong global MRO provider and allows our people to continue providing exceptional service and reliability.” 

Pratt & Whitney currently powers more than 260 aircraft in Delta’s fleet – about 80 of which are either A220s or the A321neo. In addition to GTF MRO work, Delta TechOps also provides additional offload support for Pratt & Whitney mature commercial engines, including the PW2000 and the PW4000-94” engines.

The expanding GTF MRO network is comprised of the industry’s leading MRO companies. There are currently 10 active GTF MRO engine centers worldwide. The GTF MRO network is part of Pratt & Whitney’s EngineWise® solutions, which provide engine operators with a variety of aftermarket services resulting in long-term, sustainable value. Visit https://prattwhitney.com/enginewise for more information.

About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units. To learn more, visit www.prattwhitney.com. To receive press releases and other news directly, please sign up here.

Hahn Air introduces a new Vice President Airline Business

Dreieich, 8th February 2023. To further strengthen the support and guidance for its airline partners, Hahn Air appointed Adriana C. Carrelli as Vice President Airline Business. The Canadian-Italian aviation professional brings extensive experience from former positions at Star Alliance and Air Canada, among others. In her role, Adriana oversees an international team of experts who are managing and optimising the commercial performance of Hahn Air’s global partner portfolio of more than 350 airlines. She will also steer the acquisition and implementation of new partner carriers.

Before joining Hahn Air, Adriana was Director Customer Experience at Star Alliance where she managed a global team. She led the delivery of customer-centric products, steered global business development projects, and built global partnerships with airlines, airports and aviation suppliers.  She started her career with Air Canada and successfully led multiple airline reservation and customer loyalty projects. Further, working in the banking and insurance industry, she steered transformational programmes and obtained valuable experience in the financial sector. A graduate in Business Administration from Montreal, Canada, she is fluent in English, French, Italian and Spanish.

Adriana C. Carrelli comments: “I am excited to take on the role of Vice President Airline Business. Hahn Air has gained an impressive reputation within the travel industry over the past 20 years and has been a major player with a portfolio of more than 350 airlines. I look forward to working with my team to build upon the success of our partner airlines to optimise their distribution capabilities and increase their revenue potential.”

“With Adriana, Hahn Air is welcoming a strong leader who is skilled in global business development and in optimising the potential of teams and business relationships”, said Alexander Proschka, Executive Vice President Commercial at Hahn Air. “With her strong background in aviation, customer experience management and global partnerships, Adriana is the perfect fit to recognise the opportunities of today’s distribution landscape and create added value for our partner airlines.”

For more information about Hahn Air, visit www.hahnair.com.

Frankfurt Airport teams up with SITA and NEC to introduce a biometric passenger journey

The deployment of SITA Smart Path brings a comprehensive biometric passenger processing solution across all terminals and airlines at Frankfurt Airport

Beginning this year, passengers traveling through Frankfurt Airport (Fraport) can breeze through the various steps in the journey – from check-in to boarding – simply by scanning their faces at biometric touchpoints across the airport. This solution will be rolled out and available to all interested airlines at the airport.

The implementation will see additional biometric touchpoints installed by spring 2023. From enrollment at a kiosk or counter, to pre-security automated gates and self-boarding gates, passengers can use biometric technology to seamlessly pass through each stage of the journey by simply scanning their face.

The project breaks new ground in the development of digital travel by providing a true common-use biometric platform at all Fraport terminals, open to all airlines operating at the airport. It combines day of travel enrollment, Star Alliance Biometrics, and additional biometric hubs under the umbrella of the SITA Smart Path platform.

For Lufthansa passengers specifically, thanks to the integration of SITA Smart Path with Star Alliance Biometrics, the technology makes use of the biometric identities of Lufthansa passengers enrolled on Star Alliance’s platform, enabling seamless identification of passengers without additional process steps across multiple participating airports and airlines.

This implementation plays a key part in paving the way for the rollout of biometrics across Star Alliance’s global network, as it endeavors to have more of its 26 member carriers using biometric technology progressively. Key learnings from the Fraport project will be considered for further implementations across the network.

The NEC I:Delight digital identity management platform, which is fully integrated with SITA Smart Path, ranked No.1 several times as the world’s most accurate face recognition technology in vendor tests conducted by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It allows passengers who have opted to use the service to be identified quickly and accurately, even on the move. Passengers who do not wish to use the solution can check in using a traditional check-in counter.

Dr. Pierre Dominique Prümm, Member of the Executive Board and Executive Director Aviation & Infrastructure, Fraport AG, said: “Emerging from the pandemic, passengers are embracing technology to boost efficiency and place them in control of their travel. We are extremely excited to be able to transform the experience for all our passengers across all terminals and carriers with one simple, intuitive solution. We also value that SITA and NEC’s innovative technology allows our infrastructure to be truly future-proof, with the capacity to grow with us as industry demands and travel patterns shift.”

Sergio Colella, SITA President for Europe, said: “We are delighted to be working with key industry players to bring the benefits of biometric technology to passengers everywhere. With this implementation, Fraport is leading the industry in responding to shifting passenger demands for greater autonomy and convenience, while helping to maximize operational efficiencies.”

Jason Van Sice, Vice President for NEC Advanced Recognition Systems said: “We have a wealth of experience combining our technical know-how with SITA’s understanding of the air transport industry. We are proud to be upgrading Lufthansa and Fraport customers’ experience with next-generation biometric technology, and we applaud Star Alliance’s initiative to bring these benefits to its broader network.”

Pratt & Whitney Canada and ATR Combine Efforts to Achieve 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel Readiness for PW127-Powered ATR Aircraft

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Longueuil, Quebec, February 9, 2023 – Pratt & Whitney Canada and ATR, the world’s number one regional aircraft manufacturer, today announced an agreement to collaborate on an initiative to achieve 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) readiness in PW127 series engines, including the new PW127XT powering next-generation ATR deliveries, by 2025.

“Our collaboration with ATR will be underway throughout 2023 and 2024 and builds on our recent 100% SAF test flight with Braathens Regional Airlines, which was an industry first for regional aviation,” said Anthony Rossi, vice president, Sales and Marketing, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “Alongside our efforts to continually enhance aircraft engine efficiency, SAF has a critical role to play on the journey to achieve the aviation industry’s goal of net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. While all Pratt & Whitney Canada engines have already been certified for 50% SAF blends for more than a decade, ensuring readiness to operate with 100% SAF blends in future will allow us to maximize their potential for decarbonization.”

Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, ATR’s chief executive officer added, “It is our collective responsibility as an industry to continue taking action to ensure that the vital connections provided by our aircraft across the globe are operated sustainably. We have recently demonstrated with our collaborators, Braathens Regional Airlines and Pratt & Whitney Canada, that ATR aircraft are SAF-ready. Now, we need to continue to join forces to increase SAF availability, as part of our common journey towards net-zero.” 

In June 2022, Pratt & Whitney Canada, ATR and Braathens jointly conducted a successful flight test on an ATR 72-600 aircraft with both Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M engines fueled exclusively with SAF. ATR is aiming to obtain the authorization to use 100% SAF compatible fuel for ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft in the next phase of the program.

Working together, Pratt & Whitney Canada and ATR will conduct the necessary compatibility studies, engineering analyses, and aircraft ground and flight tests, among others. Certification of 100% SAF will ultimately depend on ASTM International defining a specification for that fuel, which we expect could happen as soon as 2025. The program will adhere to standards established by ASTM International.

 About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units. To learn more, visit www.prattwhitney.com. To receive press releases and other news directly, please sign up here.

Frontier Airlines and Pratt & Whitney Name GTF-powered A321neo “Edward the Bald Eagle,” in Honor of Late Tuskegee Airman Edward Hall

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 13, 2023 — Pratt & Whitney and Frontier Airlines (“Frontier”) today revealed “Edward the Bald Eagle,” the airline’s third GTF-powered A321neo featuring Pratt & Whitney’s hallmark bald eagle on the tail. The engine manufacturer’s employees named the plane after the late Edward Hall, one of the first African American military aviators trained as a bombardier and navigator and a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. Following his military service, Hall spent a 33-year career at Pratt & Whitney, retiring as a metallurgist in 1983.

“The Tuskegee Airmen were among the most talented and decorated U.S. World War II pilots, yet they returned from distinguished military service only to face a battle for desegregation and equality at home,” said Earl Exum, vice president of Mature Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney – a member of the company’s Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board and chair of the steering committee that will bring a marquee Tuskegee Airmen exhibit to the New England Air Museum this summer. “Aviation pioneers like Hall have been the talent and intelligence behind decades of groundbreaking engines at Pratt & Whitney. We believe diversity and inclusion are differentiators for creativity and innovation, so it is moving to see his heroism, life and legacy honored in this way.”

Hall earned a physics degree from Virginia State University and carried out graduate work at the RCA Institute in New York before joining Pratt & Whitney’s Hartford, Conn. headquarters in 1950. During that time, Hall witnessed the development and evolution of many of the company’s remarkable engines for both military and civilian aircraft. Technological advancements in this era included the air-cooled radial Wasp engines; gas turbines like the J57, the first engine in the U.S. with more than 10,000 pounds of thrust; the F100 turbofan, which has powered decades of national defense; the PT6 turboprop, on which general aviation and many helicopters have been built; and the JT3D turbofan, which ushered in the jet age with the Boeing 707.

“We are extremely proud that our newest A321neo features a bald eagle on its tail named for the late Edward Hall, who valiantly served our country as a Tuskegee Airman, achieved remarkable professional success following his military career, and helped break barriers for African Americans through his advocacy and leadership,” said Barry Biffle, president and CEO, Frontier Airlines.  “This latest A321neo to join the Frontier fleet is powered by the groundbreaking Pratt & Whitney GTF engines and their innovative sustainability benefits which are helping to support our mission as America’s Greenest Airline.”

In recognition of the companies’ relationship, Frontier asked Pratt & Whitney employees to name the first three of the airline’s 144 A320neo family aircraft powered by GTF engines. The first plane was named “Frederick the Bald Eagle” in honor of the company’s founder Frederick B. Rentschler, and the second was named “Maria the Bald Eagle,” after Pratt & Whitney Canada’s Maria Della Posta, the company’s first female president and a pioneer in sustainable aviation.

The Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine is the only geared propulsion system delivering industry-leading sustainability benefits and dependable, world-class operating costs. It offers the greatest fuel efficiency and lowest greenhouse gas emissions for the Airbus A320neo family. GTF-powered aircraft reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 16% to 20%, NOx emissions by 50% and noise footprint by 75%.* Certified for operation on 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and successfully tested on 100% SAF, the engines are capable of further reductions in carbon emissions, which will help the aviation industry meet its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The engine’s revolutionary geared fan architecture is the foundation for more sustainable aviation technologies in the decades ahead, with advancements like the Pratt & Whitney GTF Advantage™ engine and beyond. Learn more at pwgtf.com.

*Reductions vs. prior-generation aircraft, based on 75 dB noise contour and ICAO CAEP/6 emissions regulations.

About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units. To learn more visit www.prattwhitney.com. To receive press releases and other news directly, please sign up here.

For further information: media@prattwhitney.com, +1 860 565 9600

Co-organisé par Royal Air Maroc et l’Université Euromed de Fès, un 2ème Hackaton pour engager le client dans une démarche RSE

– Une compétition regroupant une centaine de jeunes talents répartis sur 10 groupes, encadrés par des enseignants chercheurs et des cadres de Royal Air Maoc

 – Trois projets retenus pour développer des solutions écologiquement et économiquement viables

Casablanca, 13 février 2023. Dans le cadre de sa démarche de Responsabilité Sociale et Environmentale (RSE) et de son engagement de Développement Durable, Royal Air Maroc a co-organisé avec l’Université Euromed la deuxième édition du Hackathon « Euromed Sustainable Impact Challenge ». L’éco-campus de cette institution basée à Fès a ainsi accueilli récemment une centaine d’étudiants qui ont participé à un concours visant à favoriser l’émergence de solutions innovantes en matière de Développement Durable et de RSE.

Coachés par des cadres de la compagnie nationale et des enseignants-chercheurs de renom, les participants étaient appelés à proposer des solutions écologiquement et économiquement viables pour engager le client dans une démarche de voyage aérien responsable. Et cela en favorisant des choix et des comportements écoresponsables tout au long du parcours des voyageurs, depuis l’inspiration pour une desitination jusqu’au retour à domicile.

Afin de rendre la démarche de réflexion plus concrète, Royal Air Maroc a mobilisé des collaborateurs représentant chaque étape du parcours client, notamment du personnel naviguant, afin que les étudiants puissent bénéficier du retour terrain et être challengés quant à la faisabilitité opérationnelle de leurs projets.

La mobilisation de Royal Air Maroc dans ce projet s’inscrit dans le cadre de la politique de la Compagnie visant à promouvoir la recherche et l’innovation afin de contribuer à construire un monde plus durable. « Nous avons souhaité renouveler cette année ce partenariat avec Euromed car il s’inscrit pleinement dans la continuité de notre stratégie RSE et Développement Durable. Notre soutien confirme également l’engagement de Royal Air Maroc auprès de la jeunesse et de la culture, et en faveur de la formation et la recherche ainsi que notre volonté d’accompagner des jeunes talents vers les métiers de demain », souligne M. Hamid ADDOU, Président Directeur Général de Royal Air Maroc.

Les candidats à ce concours de recherche étaient organisés en dix équipes, représentant des spécialités aussi diverses que le design, le développement informatique, l’intelligence artificielle, le marketing, ou encore l’architecture, venus de différentes régions du Maroc et de l’Afrique. A l’issue du Hackaton, les projets de trois équipes ont été distingués par des prix.

« L’entrepreneurial, l’innovation et le partenariat avec le monde socio-économique et notamment les entreprises font partie de l’ADN de l’université Euromed de Fès », souligne M. Mostapha Bousmina, Président de l’Université Euromed de Fès.

Cette initiative confirme la volonté de Royal Air Maroc de multiplier les actions pour diffuser au sein de son écosystème les meilleures pratiques pour promouvoir une aviation durable et écoresponsable. Et cela notamment dans le cadre de sa participation au programme de l’IATA pour réduire l’impact environnemental de l’industrie.

Rolls-Royce announces biggest ever order of Trent XWB-97 engines as Air India signs MOU for 68 (plus 20 options) and 12 Trent XWB-84 engines

14 February 2023

Rolls-Royce (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY) today announces it has received an order from Air India for 68 Trent XWB-97 engines, plus options for 20 more. This is the biggest ever order for the Trent XWB-97, which exclusively powers the Airbus A350-1000. Air India has also ordered 12 Trent XWB-84 engines, the sole engine option for the Airbus A350-900.

This is the first time that an Indian airline has ordered the Trent XWB and the deal will make Air India the largest operator of the Trent XWB-97 in the world. Financial details of the order are not being disclosed.

Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO, Rolls-Royce plc, said:

“Today’s announcement marks an exciting and truly remarkable occasion for Tata Group and Air India; the size and magnitude of this order reflects the level of their ambition for the future. I congratulate them on taking this bold step towards becoming one of the world’s greatest airlines and I would like to thank them for putting their trust in Rolls-Royce to power them on this journey. Air India is the first Indian airline to order the Trent XWB and the size of the commitment, including options, will make them the biggest operator of the Trent XWB-97 in the world. With a dynamic and growing aviation industry, India is a strategically important market for us and we look forward to working with Air India as they connect their passengers across global communities and cultures.”

The Trent XWB will support Tata Group and Air India’s ambitious growth plans for the airline, providing reliability, flexibility and efficiency to its fleet as it takes on ultra-long-range routes between India and the US. The choice of the latest generation of Rolls-Royce engines also reflects Tata Group’s vision for Air India to become the world’s most technologically advanced airline, with a focus on service, competing on the world stage to deliver best-in-class customer experience.
As the world’s most efficient aero engine in service, the Trent XWB will also allow Air India passengers to travel in the knowledge they have chosen the most sustainable long-haul aviation option available. With a 15% fuel consumption advantage over the first generation of Trent engine, the Trent XWB goes further on less fuel, and offers leading performance and noise levels. It is also ready to operate on a 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel blend.
Campbell Wilson, CEO, Air India, said:

“We are delighted to commence this partnership with Rolls-Royce, and to have their Trent XWB engines power our new fleet of A350 aircraft. We are confident that they will provide us with the reliability and efficiency consumers expect of today’s leading airlines, and thereby play an important part in Vihaan.AI, Air India’s comprehensive transformation and growth strategy.”

The size of the Air India order reflects the increasing demand for air travel in India, which now has the third biggest airline market in the world and is ranked as the fifth largest economy globally. The rise of aviation has been fuelled by continued business growth, favourable government policies, sustained infrastructure development, rising disposable incomes and the travel aspirations of its young, affluent middle class. Industry forecasts* show that air passenger traffic in India is expected to grow at more than 6% per year and the industry will require more than 400 medium and large aircraft to support demand. This makes India a strategically important market for Rolls-Royce as it represents enormous growth potential for its products and services far into the future.
Rolls-Royce already has long-standing partnerships with the Tata Group. These include a strong supply chain commitment with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for the manufacture of a significant number of parts for the Trent XWB engine in India, as well as several high-precision components for other Rolls-Royce civil aerospace engines. In addition, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) provides engineering services, particularly to support our digital engineering and data innovation teams in India.

Imagery is available for download from: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAs8MD

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