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South African Airways has signed a new TotalCare service order for Trent 700 engines that power five Airbus A330 aircraft that are entering service.

The order was announced as UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond visited the first of the new aircraft at Johannesburg Airport.

The aircraft are in addition to six A330s the airline already operates – all powered by the Trent 700 with TotalCare.

Musa Zwane, South African Airways, Acting Chief Executive Officer, said: “We have had a good operating experience with the Trent 700 and will always be on the lookout for wholesome packages, as in this case, to get full value for our money. TotalCare service is critical to us, ensuring our aircraft receive required high standard levels of service.”

A TotalCare service, means that all maintenance that needs to be performed (scheduled or unscheduled), all material and manpower costs needed for such maintenance are covered for the life of the engine under a rate per flight hour/or flight cycle.  The TotalCare also provides spare engine support; warrantees and guarantees; support during an Aircraft emergency breakdown situation no matter where the aircraft is in the world; etc. and it provides to the Operator a smoothing of the costs across the said years (which in SAA’s case will be for 12 years – which is how long the operating lease agreement are for these A330-300s).

Eric Schulz, Rolls-Royce, President – Civil Large Engines, said: “The Trent 700 continues to deliver outstanding economic performance and we are grateful to South African Airways for selecting our engines and TotalCare once again.”

Philip Hammond said: “This order represents another example of the close business ties between the UK and South Africa. Rolls-Royce technology and services are supporting South Africa’s growth in transport, helping people and businesses connect both nationally and around the world.”

The Trent 700 delivers the best fuel burn, emissions and noise performance, resulting in market leadership on the aircraft. The engine has won more than 60 per cent of new orders over the last three years. In the A330 freighter market, the Trent 700 now accounts for 90 per cent of aircraft in service and on order.

“At an approximate cost of just above USD1m per engine per year, the TotalCare Service for this engine is approximately 20% less than that of maintaining the A340 engines, which assists further in SAA’s drive to reduce operating costs, and improving the financial position of the Airline”, Zwane added.

More than 1,500 Trent 700s are now in service or on firm order, making it the largest in-service Trent engine.

South African Airways also operates nine Airbus A340 aircraft powered by the Trent 500.

Issued by SAA