Rolls-Royce and China Southern Airlines have signed a Letter of Intent for engine maintenance, repair and overhaul services for 20 new Trent XWB-powered Airbus A350 aircraft. The agreement will see Rolls-Royce provide the Guangzhou-based airline with its flagship TotalCare long-term aftercare service solution, which is designed to maximise aircraft availability.

The agreement is expected to be one of the largest deals announced at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), taking place in Shanghai from 5 - 10 November, 2019.

“The selection of TotalCare by China Southern Airlines for its 20 new Trent XWB-powered A350s is testament to the strength of the relationship we have with one of China’s largest airlines,” said Paul Freestone, Rolls-Royce, Senior Vice President – Customers, Greater China. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with the team at China Southern Airlines to deliver engine efficiency for the A350, enhanced by this dedicated long-term care agreement.”

Rolls-Royce TotalCare is a long-term services agreement under which Rolls-Royce takes responsibility for engine maintenance. Fleets covered by TotalCare achieve better time-on-wing, and benefit from the Rolls-Royce CareNetwork, which ensures engine repair and overhaul services can be offered closer to our customers.

The Trent XWB is the most efficient large aero engine flying today and the fastest-selling widebody engine. More than 1,800 Trent XWB engines are currently in service or on order globally, and to date have flown more than five million engine flying hours

The selection of TotalCare for the Trent XWB-powered A350 builds on the existing relationship between Rolls-Royce and China Southern Airlines, which has added the Trent XWB to a fleet that already includes the Trent 700, powering the Airbus A330, and Trent 900 powering the A380.