Rolls-Royce Turbofan Will Power First Plane

International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), the largest US-based aircraft leasing company, has chosen Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines to power 40 of 74 Boeing 787 Dreamliners it has on order.

The contract, which is valued at $1.3 billion at engine list prices, supersedes a previous agreement for 10 firm aircraft announced during the Farnborough International Air show in July 2006. The aircraft are due to be delivered between 2010 and 2017.

“Our customers want a new generation of aircraft and engine combination that presents an opportunity to improve their environmental impact without compromising their operation. The Trent-powered 787 will be a great asset to our lease fleet, ensuring we can meet these demands from the marketplace,” said John Plueger, President and Chief Operating Officer at ILFC.

Rolls-Royce CEO Sir John Rose added, “This agreement involves a very significant number of ILFC’s Boeing 787s and represents the largest single order we have received from them. It is evidence of the excellent relationship with ILFC -- one of our most important customers. These aircraft will be placed with operators around the world, expanding the global footprint of the Trent operation.”

The first ship set of engines has been fitted to the first 787 aircraft, which was rolled out to a waiting public on Sunday. The Trent 1000 took to the air for the first time last month on the Rolls-Royce flying test bed, a converted Boeing 747.

The Trent 1000 -- which Rolls-Royce says is on track for certification -- has been developed specifically for the 787. A single engine variant will power all three current versions of the aircraft, and will be the launch engine for all three types. ANA will begin operating the 787-8 in mid 2008, followed by the short-range 787-3 in 2010. In the same year, Air New Zealand plans to enter service with the 787-9.

ILFC’s fleet includes 60 Trent-powered aircraft, with a further 50 on order, making it the largest customer for the Rolls-Royce Trent family.

FMI: www.rolls-royce.com, www.ilfc.com