Rolls-Royce Holding PLC: Air France-KLM signs MOU with Rolls-Royce for Trent XWB engines to power up

In a landmark deal announced at the Paris Air Show today (Wednesday 19 June) Air France-KLM Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rolls-Royce for Trent XWB engines to power 25 Airbus A350s. The agreement is worth $1.1bn at current list prices.

Air France-KLM also has options covering 25 more A350 XWB aircraft.

Alexandre de Juniac, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air France said: "We're very pleased to have reached agreement with Rolls-Royce for Trent XWB engines to power our fleet of Airbus A350 XWBs.

Peter Hartman, President and Chief Executive Officer of KLM, added: "This includes an agreement for the Air France-KLM maintenance organisation to work with Rolls-Royce on Trent XWB engine maintenance support."

Eric Schulz, President - Civil Large Engines, Rolls-Royce, said: "We look forward to forging a strong relationship with Air France-KLM group and we're delighted that for the first time their fleet will soon include aircraft powered by a member of our Trent family of engines. This is a great opportunity for us to demonstrate to Air France-KLM the exceptional product efficiency and superior service support benefits that Rolls-Royce Trent customers enjoy."

The Trent XWB, specifically designed for the A350 XWB, is the fastest selling Trent engine ever, with more than 1,300 already sold. The first A350 XWB made its maiden flight last week in Toulouse and is due to enter service in 2014. Rolls-Royce engines power more than 50% of modern widebody airliners.