Rolls-Royce and AirAsia unveil new plane
Rolls-Royce says AirAsia X has unveiled the first of its new-generation Airbus A330neo aircraft at the Paris Air show. The aircraft is exclusively powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent 7,000 engine. AirAsia’s Bangkok-based affiliate, AirAsia X Thailand, is the first airline in Asia Pacific to fly the A330neo.
The Trent 7,000 engine made its first appearance at the 2018 Farnborough International Air Show when Airbus unveiled the aircraft. Trent 7000 is the seventh and latest member of the Rolls-Royce Trent engine family.
Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce’s civil aerospace chief, said: “Today is a special day for the Rolls-Royce team, we are thrilled to see the A330neo unveiled at the Paris Air Show with the Thai AirAsia X livery. We are excited to see the aircraft grace the skies in Asia. The Trent 7,000 is critical to the delivery of the 14 per cent improvement in fuel burn reduction per seat of the A330neo, compared to its predecessor the Trent 700, which is a key factor in this aircraft’s success.”
AirAsia X Group CEO, Nadda Buranasiri, said: “This is a significant milestone for the aviation industry – and importantly for our guests it will revolutionise the long-haul, value-air travel market. AirAsia is thrilled to lead the way once again, as the first airline in Asia Pacific to operate the technologically advanced new generation A330neo aircraft. With 100 aircraft on order, the A330neo is the future of our long-haul operations.”
The Trent 7000 brings together the technology from the Trent XWB, which powers the Airbus A350, and draws on experience from more than 50 million flying hours of the Trent 700. The 68,000-72,000lb thrust Trent 7,000 will deliver a step change in performance and economics compared to the Trent 700, which powers the Airbus A330.
The first Trent 7,000-powered A330neo entered service in November 2018.
