Le Bourget. 18 June 2019. AirAsia has unveiled the first of its new-generation Airbus A330neo aircraft at the Paris Airshow, the aircraft is exclusively powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engine. AirAsia’s Bangkok-based affiliate, AirAsia X Thailand is the first airline in Asia Pacific to fly the A330neo.
Trent 7000 is the seventh and latest member of the successful Rolls-Royce Trent engine family. Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce, President – Civil Aerospace, said: “Today is a special day for the Rolls-Royce team, we are thrilled to see the A330neo unveiled at the Paris Air Show with the AirAsia livery. We are excited to see the aircraft grace the skies in Asia. The Trent 7000 is critical to the delivery of the 14% improvement in fuel burn reduction per seat of the A330neo, compared to its predecessor the Trent 700, which is a key factor in this aircraft’s success.”
The Trent 7000 brings together the latest technology from the Trent XWB, which powers the Airbus A350, and draws on experience from more than 50million flying hours of the Trent 700. The 68-72,000lb thrust Trent 7000 will deliver a step change in performance and economics compared to the Trent 700, which powers the Airbus A330. The first Trent 7000-powered A330neo entered service in November 2018.
AirAsia X Group CEO, Nadda Buranasiri, said: “This is a significant milestone for the aviation industry and importantly for our guests it will revolutionise the long-haul, value-air travel market. AirAsia is thrilled to lead the way once again, as the first airline in Asia Pacific to operate the technologically advanced new generation A330neo aircraft. With 66 aircraft on order and 2 on lease, the A330neo is the future of our long-haul operations.”
