KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 – The Airbus A350 XWB programme has achieved the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) award for the engine type certification of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB turbofan.
The twin-engine jetliner is the all-new mid-size long range product line comprising of three versions and seating between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts. In a statement, Airbus said the new family would bring a step change in efficiency compared with existing aircraft in this size category, using 25 per cent less fuel and providing an equivalent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
Scheduled for entry-into-service in 2014, the A350 XWB has already won 617 firm orders from 35 customers worldwide. Rolls-Royce President for Civil Large Engines Eric Schulz said: “We are very proud to have achieved this significant milestone on the road to the A350 XWB’s entry into service.
“I would like to thank Airbus for their support and all of our partners and employees who contributed to the design and certification of the engine.
“Test results show we have produced the world’s most efficient large civil aero engine and we now look forward to the first flight later this year.”
