Rolls-Royce has announced that AirAsia will be the first customer of its new-generation Airbus A330neo that is exclusively powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engine. AirAsia’s Bangkok-based affiliate, AirAsia X Thailand, will be the first airline in the Asia Pacific to fly the A330neo.
The Trent 700 engine first appeared at the 2018 Farnborough Air Show, and is now the seventh and latest member of the successful Rolls-Royce Trent engine family.
The engine offers a 14% improvement in the fuel burn reduction per seat of the A330neo, compared to its predecessor the Trent 700 which is a leading contributor in making the aircraft a 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 66 aircraft on order and two on lease, the A330neo is the future of our long-haul operations.”
The Trent 7000 brings together the latest 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.
