di Leonard Berberi
The Franco-German giant is working on the A350-2000, capable of accommodating more than 400 passengers. But not all airlines are comfortable with the engine monopoly
Airlines have asked Airbus to consider an alternative engine option for a potential larger version of the A350 widebody aircraft — used on long-haul intercontinental routes — in order to end the current exclusivity held by the British manufacturer Rolls-Royce. People familiar with the matter told Corriere della Sera that a few key A350 customers have voiced dissatisfaction with either the pricing or the monopoly or the performance of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, particularly in challenging operating environments.
The A350 family (-900, -1000, ultra-long-range ULR and freighter variants) has been powered exclusively by the Trent XWB since the program’s early development in the 2000s, following an agreement with Rolls-Royce. General Electric withdrew from the competition in 2006, leaving no real alternative on the market. As a result, airlines ordering the A350 have no choice of engine — which accounts for 20-30% of the aircraft’s total cost — and must negotiate directly with Rolls-Royce for both the engines and aftermarket services. Each engine costs, net of discounts, 26.5 million
