VIRGIN ATLANTIC SELECTS ROLLS-ROYCE ENGINES FOR A3XX

Virgin Atlantic has selected Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines to power up to 12 Airbus Industrie A3XX wide body airliners. The value of the engine business is approximately $600 million.

Virgin Atlantic has chosen the 68,000lb-75,000lb thrust Trent 900 for the six A3XXs on firm order with an additional six options. Deliveries of the firm aircraft are scheduled to begin in mid 2006. Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic, said:

"After a hard-fought competition we are delighted to be selecting Rolls Royce, who will supply us with an outstanding engine, for what will be an outstanding plane. I am especially pleased that a great British company is leading the way in the development of this revolutionary aircraft."

The A3XX will join Virgin Atlantic’s fleet of up to 18 Trent 500-powered A340-600 aircraft selected in 1997 and due to be delivered from 2002. Virgin Atlantic will be the first airline to fly the aircraft when it enters service in 2002. Currently Virgin Atlantic has Rolls-Royce engines on seven 747-200 aircraft.