Rolls-Royce has landed its second major US airline customer for the Trent 800, with the selection of the engine by American Airlines to power the Boeing 777-200IGWs (increased gross weight) ordered this year. The decision by the world's largest airline is a boost to the UK engine builder's campaign to win market dominance for the Trent family.
The order comes on the heels of another success for the UK company in North America, with Air Canada selecting the Trent 700 to power its Airbus A330s.
While R-R and the airline decline officially to confirm the American order, sources close to the deal say that a letter of intent has been signed, covering powerplants for 11 777-200IGWs due for delivery from January 1999.
American originally had seven on order, but has increased this number. American has options for a further 38 aircraft, and it is understood that the deal could extend to around 100 777s, depending on the launch by Boeing of the ultra-long-range 777-200X/300X. The initial deal is worth about $300 million.
American has become the second US customer after Delta Air Lines chose the Trent 800 to power the ten 777s it has on option. American is already a major R-R customer with its fleet of 90 RB.211-535E4-powered 757s and 75 Tay 650-powered Fokker 100s. R-R was competing against General Electric in the American campaign, with the key to the deal being the development of an increased-thrust - 454-463kN (102,000-104,000lb) - engine required to power the 777-200X/300X. Pratt & Whitney was not invited to participate, as it has not committed to an engine beyond the 436kN PW4098. It is understood that GE was finally eliminated because of its reluctance to guarantee further growth versions of its GE90.
Meanwhile, Air Canada has selected the Trent 700 to power its A330s. The airline has signed a firm contract with Airbus for five A330-300s and three A340-300s, with a further eight reconfirmable options (four each for the A330 and A340), plus options for 20 aircraft.
The deal follows a memorandum of understanding which also included launch commitments for up to 15 R-R Trent 500-powered A340-500s and -600s.
Source: Flight International
