Emirates Signs US$9.2 Billion Order with Rolls-Royce

Emirates has signed an US$9.2 billion (€8.7 billion) deal with Rolls-Royce for Trent 900 engines, as well as a long-term TotalCare package.

The engines will be used to power 50 Airbus A380s ordered at the Dubai Air Show in 2013, which will begin entering service in 2016.

The deal, which is the largest ever for Rolls-Royce, and one of the largest ever export orders for a UK based company, is part of Emirates’ ongoing investment into the UK and Europe.

The partnership marks a significant milestone for aviation manufacturing in the region, securing jobs across Rolls-Royce’s supply chain, from Bristol to Scotland. It will further support trade ties between the UK and the United Arab Emirates, building on the estimated $13.4 billion (€12.7 billion) of bilateral trade recorded in 2013.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, said, “Rolls-Royce is a key partner for Emirates and we have been impressed with its commitment to continual improvements in the economic and operational performance of the Trent 900. These improvements have been decisive factors in our selection of the product for 50 of our A380s.”

Emirates’ investment in the Airbus A380 programme has had a significant impact on the UK and wider European economies. A recent Frontier Economics report identified that in 2013/14 Emirates’ investment in the A380 created 7,000 UK jobs, equating to a $630 million (€595 million) GDP contribution. Across the EU, Emirates’ 140 A380 orders are estimated to have supported 41,000 jobs, equivalent to a massive $3.6 billion (€3.4 billion) GDP.

The A380 programme sits at the heart of Emirates’ growth strategy. 60 A380s are currently in operation, with a further 80 on order, making Emirates by far the largest purchaser of the aircraft. Since its introduction in 2008, over 36 million of the airline’s passengers have flown on the aircraft.

John Rishton, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce, said: “The success of Emirates over the last thirty years has been extraordinary. Rolls-Royce has been proud to have been part of this success, powering Emirates aircraft since 1996. We are delighted that Emirates has again placed its trust in our technology, with the biggest order in our history.”

Emirates currently operates 16 daily flights from the UK with nine of these operating as an A380; five daily from London Heathrow, two daily from London Gatwick and two daily A380s from Manchester.

Emirates Airbus A380

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