Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, will power new
Gulf Air aircraft in an order worth US$1.5bn at list prices.
Trent 700EP (Enhanced Performance) engines will power 20 Airbus
A330 aircraft, with deliveries beginning in 2012. The contract
includes a TotalCare long-term service agreement. In
addition, Gulf Air also renewed TotalCare on Trent 700s
that power 10 A330s already in service.
The Trent 700EP has the best performance, lowest emissions and
lowest fuel burn on the A330. Rolls-Royce has secured more than 70
per cent of the A330 market over the last three years and eight of
the nine Middle East A330 operators have selected Trent 700 engines
to power their fleets.
The contract was signed at the Paris Air Show by Gulf Air
Chairman Talal Al Zain and Rolls-Royce Chief Executive Sir John
Rose.
Ismail Karimi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Air, said:
"As Gulf Air progresses with its ambitious re-fleeting and product
enhancement strategy, we need an engine to power our future A330s.
After exploring a number of options, we have selected the Trent 700
as the one best suited to meet our future needs. The Rolls-Royce
engine offers the best deal for Gulf Air technically,
operationally, commercially and environmentally.
"Our new aircraft will offer improved customer service in terms
of comfort and reliability and will also continue our drive to keep
operating costs to a minimum. We have had excellent experience with
our existing Trent 700EPs, both in terms of operational performance
and the comprehensive TotalCare service package, which were
important factors in our decision making on the new purchases and
service renewal."
Phil Harris, Rolls-Royce Senior Vice President Airlines - North
Asia and Middle East, said: "We are delighted that Gulf Air has
selected our Trent 700 technology and TotalCare package to
power its new aircraft. Rolls-Royce technology will enable the
customer to achieve excellent technical performance and world-class
service support."
Rolls-Royce has a leading 50 per cent market share on modern,
widebody aircraft, with more than 1,500 Trent engines in service on
more than 550 aircraft and a further 2,500 on order. Each of the
six members of the Trent family have either been the first or
launch engine on the airframe, or have gone on to take the leading
market share.