Geoff Thomas
Rolls-Royce announced at Le Bourget yesterday that it has won new business worth up to $88 million for its AE 3007 engines to power Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets.
Italian regional operator Alitalia Express has ordered six aircraft with options for an additional 10, with deliveries due to begin in April 2000.
Carmen Lloyd, Rolls-Royce president, corporate and regional airlines, says: "We are pleased that Alitalia Express has chosen to join the growing list of regional airlines operating AE3007-powered ERJ-145s.
"This order reinforces the market's acceptance that Embraer and Rolls-Royce offer a winning airframe/engine combination in the 50-seat regional jet marketplace."
The AE3007 is the sole powerplant for both the ERJ-145 and the 37-seat ERJ-135. Firm orders and options now total more than 500 for the larger aircraft and 309 firm orders and options for the ERJ-135.
Rolls-Royce also announced that it has won new orders worth $75 million for its Trent 700 engines to power three Airbus A330 aircraft.
The order, announced yesterday at Le Bourget, marks the first time that New York-based CIT Group/Capital Finance has selected Rolls-Royce engines.
One of the largest and most experienced aircraft finance and leasing organisations in the world, CIT has not directly bought new Airbus products before.
The A330s will be used to augment the organisation's fleet which now comprises more than 200 airframes worldwide.
The Trent 700 has now won a 39% market share of announced firm and option business on the A330, with orders from 14 customers to power up to 138 aircraft.
Source: Flight Daily News
