Rolls-Royce lands huge order to power Turkish fleet

Rolls-Royce is celebrating after Turkish Airlines announced the selection of a new fleet of aircraft powered by its engines.

The order for 70 Airbus A350 aircraft will make the airline the largest operator of Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB engines in the world.

The deal consists of 100 Trent XWB-84 engines and 40 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.

The aircraft will be delivered between 2025 and 2033, with the engines’ health and maintenance covered by Rolls-Royce’s TotalCare service.

Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive at Rolls-Royce, which has its civil aerospace division in Derby, said: “This announcement marks an exciting and truly historic day for Rolls-Royce. It is proof that the actions we are taking to transform Rolls-Royce into a high performing and competitive company underpinned by profitable growth are working.

“The Trent XWB is the perfect engine platform to support Turkish Airlines as it continues to grow. This order will make Turkish Airlines the largest Trent XWB operator in the world, and I would like to thank them for putting their trust in Rolls-Royce.”

Flying to more than 340 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, Turkish Airlines has grown from a passenger base of 10 million in 2003 to more than 82 million in the last twelve months.

Its new order will complement the airline’s existing fleet, adding to the 40 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 A350-900s already in service and on order, and 26 Trent 700 powered A330s.

Mr Erginbilgic said: “Turkey is a strategically important market for us, and it is imperative to develop long-term partnerships with the airline and other important Turkish stakeholders.

“We look forward to working with Turkish Airlines as they continue to connect their passengers across global communities and cultures.”

As the world’s most efficient large aero engine in service, the Trent XWB, which is assembled in Derby, will help fast track Turkish Airlines’ sustainability journey.

With a 15 per cent fuel consumption advantage over the first generation of Trent engine, the Trent XWB goes further on less fuel, and offers leading performance and noise levels.

It is also certified to operate on a 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend today and has been proven to be compatible with 100% SAF for the future.

Ahmet Bolat, chairman of the board and the executive committee at Turkish Airlines, said: “This landmark order is more than an expansion; it’s a testament to our dedication to innovation, operational excellence, and a sustainable future.

“The addition of these advanced powered Airbus aircraft to our fleet will not only enhance our operational capabilities but also significantly contribute to our environmental goals.”