In February 2023, Tata Group’s Air India placed an order for 840 aircraft, including 40 A350-900/1000 aircraft from Airbus. In addition, Rolls-Royce has received its largest-ever order for Trent XWB-97 engines, which will power the A350-1000 aircraft. The company’s Trent XWB-84 engines will power the Airbus A350-900s. In an interview, Kishor Jayaraman, president of India and South Asia, gives more details.
How important is the Air India order for Rolls-Royce and has it changed the company’s equation in the market?
This is a very important part of Rolls-Royce, this is the largest order of its kind for Rolls-Royce anywhere in the world. This is the biggest wide-body order ever in India. This is the first time that an Indian airline has placed an order for the Trent XWB. [engines] And the deal will make Air India the largest operator of the Trent XWB-97 in the world. The Trent XWB will support the Tata Group and Air India’s ambitious growth plans for the airline, providing its fleet with reliability, flexibility and efficiency as it takes on ultra-long-range routes between India and the US with up to 15% fuel consumption benefits Is. The first generation Trent engine, the Trent XWB sprints further on less fuel, and delivers leading performance and noise levels. It is also set to operate on 50% sustainable aviation fuel blend. Rolls-Royce’s partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to manufacture a significant number of parts for the Trent XWB engine in India, as well as a strong supply chain for many high-precision components for other Rolls-Royce civil aerospace engines There is commitment. , This order sends an important message that India is going to be a reliable, relevant partner to the world in moving people from India to the world, from the world to India, and connecting the world together in ways that we don’t have in the real important relationships. Was . it begs the question how are we [India] Be a hub, where the hub and spoke model is very common in the airline industry globally. Every country has its own national carrier and Air India will be the national carrier in the name of India, it can be owned by private or public company. But it will be the flagship carrier for India, it is the ambassador of India. And hopefully someday the Maharaja will come back.
How and how many engines are you preparing to order?
We received an order from Air India for 68 Trent XWB-97 engines as well as 20 more options. This is the largest order ever for the Trent XWB-97, which exclusively powers the Airbus A350-1000. Air India has also ordered 12 Trent XWB-84 engines, the sole engine option for the Airbus A350-900. These are in the production factory. Six aircraft are required to be delivered before the end of this year. So, we have to make sure that the engines are in place before that.
Rolls-Royce continues to supply engines for large-sized aircraft around the world. Apart from Air India, we have Indigo which is an important player. Do you think one day they will also have wide body aircraft flying Rolls Royce engines?
I am 100% sure that IndiGo will have widebody aircraft. Indigo is a very relevant and important player in the Indian civil aviation scenario. And they are becoming very relevant in terms of international operations as well. Therefore, they often fly within the Middle East and South Asia. So, I think they are a very credible, significant relevant airline in India, they will be in the broad body market. I really want it to be with Rolls-Royce engines, the whole fleet to be with Rolls-Royce engines. This is my wish. But regardless, they’ll be in the wide-body market. And, at least we get our fair share. And when do I say it’s happening? not far from.
As concern over emissions grows and as aircraft are recognized as one of the biggest polluters, what is Rolls-Royce doing to reduce its carbon footprint?
It is a good question. We have signed the UN Net Zero Chapter, so by 2050, we will be Net Zero, all our products, all our services, all our factories, everything we do will be Net Zero. That’s the promise of Rolls-Royce. This year it is going to be Sustainable Alternative Fuels (SAF). All our products will be SAF compliant by 2023. All our factories will be net-zero compliant by 2030. All our new products will be compatible before 2030, and everything for Rolls-Royce will be compatible by 2050. These are some of the milestones we set for ourselves. But what about the next generation of technologies, electric? So, we flew the first electric plane, it reached a speed limit of about 350 mph, a speed record. for an all-electric [aircraft] We’re looking at battery technology. If you look at civil aerospace flight it’s not enough, we had to look at defense and how it works in defense. Therefore, we apply civilian aerospace concepts to defense. Defense is a very different world. So, we had to figure out how to make it more efficient. Our Series 2000 engines have run successfully on Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO). So, we are not taking our eyes off the ball to make today sustainable. Our products are sustainable for the future and doing something today. We are committed to proving that all of our in-production commercial aero-engines are 100% SAF compatible by 2023 and to pilot the first net zero transatlantic flight from the UK this year using a Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine with 100% SAF Will give you strength. ,
How is Rolls-Royce contributing to India?
Ours is the original Make in India story, which began 60 years ago with Rolls-Royce partnering with HAL for complete engine technology transfer, and since then Rolls-Royce engines have been manufactured in India. We continue to build on this relationship to deliver service excellence and supply chain capabilities. Rolls-Royce is keen to partner with India for the development of the fighter engine with a co-manufacturing model that ensures Intellectual Property (IP) for this critical technology is owned and maintained in India. With the technical know-how and know-how resting within the country, India can establish itself as a strong supplier in the global market and enhance its competitiveness in the international arena. Such a model would not only allow future upgrades and exports, but would also enable indigenous new engine development in future. We are well positioned in India with strategic local partnerships, a strong ecosystem of suppliers, talent, digital solutions and service capabilities to support such a program.
What’s happening at Rolls-Royce next big?
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) have a very important role to play when we talk about climate change. The UK government and Rolls-Royce are working together to develop a product that will be around 400 MW. I think this is the future of sustainable power generation. And, of course we are very much looking forward to participating in India.