Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines selected for new Airbus Beluga XL transporter

Rolls-Royce has been selected by Airbus to provide Trent 700 engines and long-term TotalCare engine service support, worth $700m for five new Beluga XL air transporter aircraft. The aircraft will replace the current Airbus Beluga fleet, which is powered by engines from another provider. The Beluga XL, based on the A330 design, was launched in November 2014 to address the A350 XWB ramp up and the transport capacity requirements for other programmes. Compared to the current Beluga, the Beluga XL will provide Airbus with an additional 30 per cent air transport capacity. Bertrand George, Airbus Senior Vice-President, Head of Beluga