Rolls-Royce Racks Up Trent Engine Orders This Week at the Paris Air Show 2025

With a host of Airbus aircraft orders this week at the Paris Air Show, Rolls-Royce also announced Trent engine orders from AviLease, VietJet, Riyadh Air, STARLUX Airlines, and EGYPTAIR.

AviLease Orders 20 Trent XWB-97 Engines to Power 10 Airbus A350F Freighters - Courtesy Airbus

On Monday ( June 16, 2025), Rolls-Royce announced that AviLease placed an order for 20 Trent XWB-97 engines to power 10 Airbus A350F Freighters.  The A350F will become the first-ever Rolls-Royce powered freighter to operate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In Monday’s announcement, Rolls-Royce’s Chief Customer Officer, Ewen McDonald, said,

“Aviation enables growth and connectivity across the world and this contribution is perfectly symbolised in air freight.  We’re proud that AviLease has selected the Airbus A350F powered by our highest thrust engine, the Trent XWB-97.  The Trent XWB-97, like all of our modern Trent engines, benefits from our £1bn investment in time on wing improvements, bringing increased fleet planning certainty to this important aviation sector.  We greatly value our growing partnership with AviLease.”

Also commenting on the engine order, AviLease’s CEO, Ted O’Bryne, added,

“We’re delighted to announce this order for 10 Trent XWB-97 powered A350F – the next generation of freighters within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  I’d like to thank Rolls-Royce for their partnership and helping to deliver our aim to become a top 10 global aircraft lessor, supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”

Over seven years of service, the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 has proven its reliability and durability, with over three million engine flying hours. The versatile aero engine has already proven that it is as equally efficient at powering short and long-haul flights, making it an ideal solution for passenger and freighter operators with a varied network.  As previously announced, Rolls-Royce is investing over £1billion in a program that will deliver further improvements to the Trent engine family. The Trent XWB-97 is receiving a technology package that extends time on wing across all operations, as well as doubling time on wing on the harshest of missions.

In a separate press release on Monday (June 16, 2025), Rolls-Royce announced that VietJet Air ordered an additional 40 Trent 7000 engines to power 20 Airbus A330neos.  This order follows an order made at the Singapore Airshow last year for 40 7000 engines, taking the order total to 80.  Additionally, VietJet Air continues to select Rolls-Royce’s comprehensive TotalCare service to cover the health and maintenance of the engines.

In Tuesday’s VietJet Air announcement, Rolls-Royce’s President – Civil Aerospace, Rob Watson, said,

“Today’s commitment for an additional 40 Trent 7000 engines demonstrates the airline’s confidence in the Trent 7000 and A330neo combination.  The incredible versatility of this aircraft and engine combination allows customers to serve different markets and maximise the resilience of their fleet.  Our £1bn investment in time on wing across the Trent family of engines has delivered an enhancement package for the Trent 7000 that has, in some case, tripled time on wing.  Vietjet Air is a key partner for Rolls-Royce in the Asia-Pacific region, and we are proud to support their mission of connecting Vietnam with the world.”

Also commenting on the incremental Trent 7000 order, VietJet Air’s CEO, Dinh Viet Phuong, added,

“Rolls-Royce is a trusted partner in Vietjet’s long-term strategy to develop a next-generation widebody fleet.  Our decision to expend the Trent 7000 order for 40 new engines within a year reflects our strong commitment to international network growth, with a focus on long-haul markets across Europe, North Asia, and North America.  With the Trent 7000 and TotalCare at the core of our widebody operations, we are well-positioned to deliver a world-class travel experience with enhanced quality, cost efficiency and support the sustainability of the aviation industry.”

Exclusively powering the Airbus A330neo, the Trent 7000 is the latest addition to the Rolls-Royce Trent Family of Engines.  To date, the Trent 7000 has flown over three million hours, delivering exceptional reliability, proven versatility and sustainable performance.

On Tuesday (June 17, 2025) Rolls-Royce further announced that Riyadh Air, the new national carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has placed an order for 50 Trent XWB-97 engines to power 25 Airbus A350-1000s.  The carrier also signed a MoU for Rolls-Royce’s comprehensive TotalCare service that will cover the health and maintenance of the engines.

In Tuesday’s announcement, Rolls-Royce’s President – Civil Aerospace, Rob Watson, said,

“We’re looking forward to supporting the significant growth ambitions of Riyadh Air in its launch year.  The Trent XWB-97 is an incredible engine and our TotalCare package will provide operational certainty across the fleet.  The engine will benefit from the £1bn investment we’re making to the Trent engine family that improves their durability and efficiency across all operations. We look forward to supporting these new aircraft as they enter service.” 

Also commenting on the Trent XWB-97 order, Riyadh Air’s CFO, Adam Boukadida, said,

“The growth of Riyadh Air is of critical importance to the development of Saudi Arabia as an aviation hub, and selecting world-class companies like Rolls-Royce to power our future Airbus large widebody fleet ensures we have the right partners in place to achieve our ambitions.  This Mou for 50 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines to power our fleet of Airbus A350-1000 aircraft is hugely significant as it brings us closer to realizing our long-term vision of enhanced connectivity for Riyadh.  Our goal is to deliver an unrivalled guest experience, linked to a world-class network and provide out guests with unlimited options to fly direct to major global cities.”

Riyadh Air, a PIF company, launched in March 2023, and will be a digitally led, full-service airline that adopts the best global sustainability and safety practices across its advanced fleet of aircraft.  Riyadh Air’s aircraft will feature the most advanced, state-of-the-art equipment and amenities, and best-in-class cabin interiors and experiences, including next generation digital in-flight entertainment systems and connectivity solutions.  The carrier plans on connecting guests to over 100 destinations worldwide by 2030, by offering an exceptional guest experience with an authentic, warm Saudi hospitality at its heart.

On Wednesday (June 18, 2025), from the Paris Air Show 2025, Rolls-Royce further announced that STARLUX Airlines has ordered 20 Trent XWB-97 engines to power 10 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft.  The carrier’s entire widebody fleet is exclusively powered by Rolls-Royce engines, including the Trent XWB-powered A350-900, and the Trent 7000 powered A330neo.  Currently the airline has Trent XWB-97 powered A350-1000s and A350 F freighters on order.

In Wednesday’s announcement, Rolls-Royce’s Chief Customer Officer, Ewen McDonald, said,

It’s been an honour to power STARLUX Airlines’ fast-growing fleet, and we thank STARLUX Airlines for its continued confidence in the power of our Trent engines.  The engine will benefit from the £1bn investment we’re making to the Trent engine family that improves their durability and efficiency across all operations.  We look forward to supporting these new aircraft as they enter service.

Also commenting on the new Trent XWB-97 engine order, STARLUX Airlines’ CEO, Glenn Chai, added,

“Expanding our international fleet with additional A350-1000s is a significant step toward reinforcing our global presence and enhancing connectivity across key markets.  This aircraft, powered by the Trent XWB-97, offers efficiency, range and comfort, making it the perfect fit for our strategy to optimise long-haul operations while delivering an exceptional passenger experience.  As we continue to strengthen our international network, the A350-1000 will play an important role in driving growth, sustainability and operational flexibility.”

Taiwan-based STARLUX is a boutique international airline serving a total of 29 destinations from Taiwan to the U.S., Japan, Macau, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore. STARLUX passengers traveling between Asia and North America are able to enjoy an easy transfer in Taipei with its four US routes, including Taipei to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Ontario, CA.  During the first quarter of 2026, STARLUX will launch service to their fifth U.S. destination, Phoenix, Arizona.

In a separate press release on Wednesday (June 18, 2025), Rolls-Royce also announced that EGYPTAIR has ordered 12 additional Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engines to power six Airbus A350-900s.

Source: Rolls-Royce