Rolls-Royce wins $1bn contract from Japanese airline

Engine maker Rolls-Royce has secured a $1 billion (£617.1 million) contract to supply Japanese low-cost carrier Skymark Airlines.

Skymark, a new customer for the group, has ordered Trent 900 engines to power six Airbus A380 aircraft and also signed a letter of intent for Trent 700 units for up to ten A330s. All the planes are due to enter service in 2014, and Skymark will be the only airline Japan using both the Trent 900 and 700 engines.

Rolls-Royce said its Trent 900 has been selected by 11 of the 16 carriers using the A380 “superjumbo”, which is the world’s largest passenger aircraft and began commercial services in October 2007.

Bruce Blythe, senior vice-president of civil aerospace at the engine maker, said: “We are delighted Skymark Airlines is putting its trust in our technology and support services. This latest order and letter of intent reinforces the market leading positions of these Trent engines.”