Rolls-Royce has won an order from aircraft lessor Avolon for 70 Trent 7000 engines to power 35 Airbus A330neo aircraft. Announced on 13 October, the engine commitment follows Avolon’s order for 35 A330-900 widebody aircraft placed with Airbus on 9 October. The Trent 7000 is the exclusive engine for the A330neo, which uses two engines per aircraft.
The widebody aircraft form part of a larger Airbus agreement that also includes 75 A320neo-family jets. Airbus says the additional 35 A330-900s take Avolon’s cumulative orders for that model to 114, making it the manufacturer’s largest lessor customer for the variant by orders placed. Avolon’s wider aircraft procurement agreements remain subject to approval by Bohai Leasing shareholders, according to the lessor’s October update.
Derived from technology used in the Trent XWB family, the Trent 7000 is a three-shaft, high-bypass turbofan developed for the re-engined A330. Its three rotating shaft systems allow different compressor and turbine stages to operate at different speeds, while the large fan supplies much of the engine’s thrust through bypass airflow. Rolls-Royce says the Trent 7000 fleet has accumulated more than five million flying hours since entering airline service.
The engine manufacturer quotes a 14% improvement in fuel burn per seat for the A330neo and Trent 7000 combination compared with the previous A330 generation. It also states that the engine is certified to operate with a 50% sustainable aviation fuel blend and has demonstrated compatibility with up to 100% SAF. Demonstrated compatibility at that higher blend is distinct from certification for routine commercial use.
Ewen McDonald, Rolls-Royce’s chief customer officer, described Avolon as an established Trent 7000 customer. Will Pitcher, Avolon’s head of powerplant strategy and asset solutions, said the engine and aircraft combination would support its airline customers’ fleet renewal and expansion plans over the coming decade. Neither the value of the engine order nor delivery dates have been disclosed; the announcement concerns an order, not completed engine deliveries.
