Ethiopian Inks MOU With Rolls-Royce, 11 A350-900s Deal With Airbus
Rolls-Royce says it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a comprehensive TotalCare service agreement with Ethiopian Airlines for 22 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engines. The Trent XWB-84 exclusively powers the Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
TotalCare is designed to provide operational certainty for customers by transferring time
on wing and maintenance cost risk back to Rolls-Royce. This industry-leading premium
service is supported by data delivered through the Rolls-Royce advanced engine health
monitoring system, which helps provide customers with increased operational
availability, reliability and efficiency.
Ethiopian Airlines became Africa’s first A350 operator in 2016, and has been a customer of Rolls-Royce for many years. This order will complement the airline’s existing fleet of 40 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engine. Rolls-Royce also powers the airline’s fleet of 10 Boeing 787s with their Trent 1000 engine.
Rolls-Royce congratulates Ethiopian Airlines on their continued route development and
looks forward to the inaugural flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to London Gatwick,
UK, later this month using their Trent XWB powered A350 aircraft.
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, said: “We are excited to place this
commitment for 11 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 powered Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which will be supported by a comprehensive Rolls-Royce TotalCare services agreement. We are keen to expand our fleet size, acquiring the latest technology aircraft to offer a convenient and memorable onboard experience to our esteemed passengers.”
Rob Watson, President – Civil Aerospace Rolls-Royce plc, said the day’s announcement “marks an exciting day for Ethiopian Airlines and Rolls-Royce. It is proof that the Trent XWB-84 continues to perform and deliver for our customers. It is the perfect engine platform to support Ethiopian Airlines’ growth ambitions as a leading airline in Africa.
“We have enjoyed a relationship with Ethiopian Airlines for many years and we would like to thank them for yet again putting their trust in the Trent XWB and Rolls-Royce. We look forward to supporting them with their global route development.”
As versatile as it is reliable, the Trent XWB has already shown it is equally efficient at
powering short-haul or long-haul flights, which makes it the ideal solution for passenger
and freighter operators with a varied network. As the world’s most efficient large aero
engine in service, the Trent XWB will also help fast track Ethiopian Airlines’ sustainability journey.
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 certified to operate on a 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend today and has been proven to be compatible with 100% SAF for the future.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 11 additional Airbus A350-900s with six more purchase rights to be added to its existing fleet. The latest agreement takes Ethiopian Airlines’ total order book and commitment for the A350 to 33, including four A350-1000s.
Ethiopian Airlines currently operates a fleet of 20 A350-900s and with this commitment, it will confirm its position as Africa’s biggest A350 customer. The signing of the MoU took place at Dubai Airshow in the presence of Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew and Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, Christian Scherer. Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said, “We are excited to place this commitment for 11 Airbus A350-900s. As a customer focused airline, we are particularly excited for these fleet as it offers extra comfort to passengers with its features like the quietest cabin in its class and ambient lighting. We are keen to expand our fleet size, acquiring the latest technology aircraft to offer a convenient and memorable onboard experience to our esteemed passengers.”
Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, said, “Ethiopian Airlines is a great example of how to leverage the exceptional values of the A350 for long-haul travel, playing on the benefits of Ethiopia’s unique geographical position that offers the fastest connections between China and Latin America. We are delighted to further strengthen Ethiopian Airlines fleet, and through this, continue the great relationship we have built up together.”
The A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft and the long-range leader in the 300-410 seater category, flying efficiently on any sector from short-haul to ultra-long-haul routes up to 9,700nm. Its clean sheet design includes state-of-the-art technologies, aerodynamics, lightweight materials and latest generation engines that together deliver 25% advantage in fuel burn, operating costs and CO₂ emissions, as well as 50% noise reduction compared to previous generation competitor aircraft. The A350 has won over 1,000 orders from leading carriers from around the globe.
