Rolls-Royce announces $1.5bn Gulf Air deal

Rolls-Royce will power new Gulf Air aircraft in an order worth $1.5bn at list prices, it was announced on Monday.

Trent 700EP (Enhanced Performance) engines will power 20 Airbus A330 aircraft, with deliveries beginning in 2012.

The contract includes a TotalCare long-term service agreement. In addition, Gulf Air also renewed TotalCare on Trent 700s that power 10 A330s already in service.

Rolls-Royce has secured more than 70 per cent of the A330 market over the last three years and eight of the nine Middle East A330 operators have selected Trent 700 engines to power their fleets.

The contract was signed at the Paris Air Show by Gulf Air Chairman Talal Al Zain and Rolls-Royce Chief Executive Sir John Rose.

Ismail Karimi, deputy chief executive officer, Gulf Air, said: “As Gulf Air progresses with its ambitious re-fleeting and product enhancement strategy, we need an engine to power our future A330s.

"After exploring a number of options, we have selected the Trent 700 as the one best suited to meet our future needs. The Rolls-Royce engine offers the best deal for Gulf Air technically, operationally, commercially and environmentally.”

Rolls-Royce has a leading 50 per cent market share on modern, widebody aircraft, with more than 1,500 Trent engines in service on more than 550 aircraft and a further 2,500 on order.

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