Rolls-Royce received an order from Air India for 80 engines after the carrier announced the biggest purchase of aircraft in aviation history with deals for 470 airplanes from Airbus and Boeing.
The order with the British brand is for 68 Trent XWB-97 engines, plus options for 20 more, in what is the biggest ever order made for the engine. Air India also ordered 12 Trent XWB-84 engines, the "sole engine option" for the Airbus A350-900.
"Air India is the first Indian airline to order the Trent XWB and the size of the commitment, including options, will make them the biggest operator of the Trent XWB-97 in the world," said Tufan Erginbigic, Rolls-Royce's chief executive.
India has the world's biggest population, the fifth biggest gross domestic product and is the third-ranked air travel market. "With a dynamic and growing aviation industry, India is a strategically important market for us and we look forward to working with Air India as they connect their passengers across global communities and cultures," Ergnibigic said.
“We are delighted to commence this partnership with Rolls-Royce, and to have their Trent XWB engines power our new fleet of A350 aircraft. We are confident that they will provide us with the reliability and efficiency consumers expect of today’s leading airlines," said Air India chief Campbell Wilson.