In a significant move for the aviation industry, Rolls-Royce has announced that Turkish Airlines will become the world’s largest operator of its Trent XWB engines. The deal includes an order for 100 Trent XWB-84 engines and 40 Trent XWB-97 engines, powering Turkish Airlines’ strategic expansion with a fleet of 70 Airbus A350 aircraft.
The agreement is set to position Turkish Airlines as a leading carrier, boasting operational excellence with a keen eye on sustainable travel. The Trent XWB-84 and Trent XWB-97 engines will propel Turkish Airlines’ Airbus A350-900s, A350-1000s, and A350Fs into a new era, with deliveries scheduled between 2025 and 2033.
Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO of Rolls-Royce plc, expressed his enthousiasm about the partnership: “Today’s announcement marks an exciting and truly historic day for Rolls-Royce.” He acknowledged the significance of the deal, stating, “It is proof that the actions we are taking to transform Rolls-Royce into a high performing and competitive company underpinned by profitable growth are working.”
He added, “The Trent XWB is the perfect engine platform to support Turkish Airlines as it continues to grow. This order will make Turkish Airlines the largest Trent XWB operator in the world, and I would like to thank them for putting their trust in Rolls-Royce.”
With a comprehensive TotalCare service package, Rolls-Royce ensures the health and maintenance of the engines, promoting reliability and operational uptime. This service is bolstered by the company’s advanced engine health monitoring system, showcasing Rolls-Royce’s cutting-edge technological prowess.
The expansion of Turkish Airlines from a passenger base of 10 million in 2003 to over 82 million is a testament to its meteoric rise in the global aviation market. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee at Turkish Airlines, highlighted the broader implications of the acquisition: “This landmark order is more than an expansion; it’s a testament to our dedication to innovation, operational excellence, and a sustainable future.”
He visualizes the new aircraft as pivotal in their mission to connect people across continents. “With the unparalleled location of our home base located in Istanbul, which straddles continents, we will continue our mission of bridging people from all over the world and these new aircraft will play a crucial role for that goal in our journey towards an even brighter future.”
The impact on the UK’s economy has also been underscored by Kemi Badenoch, UK Business, and Trade Secretary. She celebrated the partnership as “a big win for the UK’s world-leading aerospace sector” and lauded its role in securing high-skilled jobs and driving economic growth.
Underscoring the environmental benefits, the Trent XWB engines confer a 15% fuel consumption advantage over the first generation of Trent engines. These engines also operate on a 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend and are compatible with 100% SAF, aligning with Turkish Airlines’ sustainability goals.
The milestone underscores the role of strategic partnerships in shaping a more connected and environmentally conscious global aviation landscape. As Turkish Airlines gears up for a future of increased connectivity and improved sustainability, the skies look promising for this burgeoning airline and its customers.
