Virgin Atlantic has placed an order worth $720 million for Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines to power its new Airbus fleet of 10 A330-300s.
The twin-engined aircraft are due for delivery from early 2011 following an order worth more than $2 billion made in June. Five of the 270-passenger aircraft will arrive in 2011 and five in 2012.
The Rolls Royce order includes 10 sets of installed engines, three spares and a long-term maintenance agreement.
The airline’s chief executive Steve Ridgway said: “Our Rolls Royce engine order signals our commitment to flying a modern fleet with the most fuel efficient technology available.
“Now is the right time for leading businesses to be placing orders like this so that companies, vital to the British economy, can protect jobs, grow and thrive in the future.”
With the lowest lifecycle fuel burn, lowest cumulative emissions and lowest noise levels, the Trent 700 has the lowest environmental impact of any engine on the A330, according to the airline.
The A330s will operate on many routes worldwide and will assist future growth before the arrival of Boeing 787 Dreamliners in 2013.
by Phil Davies
