Philippine Airlines (PAL) has entered into a deal with Rolls-Royce to supply 18 units of Trent XWB-97 engines for nine additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with provisions to cover up to five more planes should PAL exercise its existing purchase rights. Alongside the engine supply agreement, the two parties also signed a separate deal for Rolls-Royce’s TotalCare service, which will manage the full health monitoring and maintenance requirements of the expanded fleet.
These arrangements form a key part of PAL’s ongoing fleet modernization drive, supporting its goal of operating a newer, more fuel-efficient and dependable long-haul fleet. The Trent XWB-97 is the only engine designed exclusively for the Airbus A350-1000 model, and is widely recognized for its outstanding fuel economy, reliability and lower environmental impact.
“This investment shows our strong belief in the future of Philippine Airlines. The Airbus A350-1000 paired with the Trent XWB-97 engine will remain the core of our top-tier long-distance flights for many years ahead,” said Lucio C. Tan 3rd, president and chief operating officer of PAL Holdings, Inc. He added that the TotalCare agreement matches this investment well, offering full maintenance assistance that keeps more aircraft ready for service while making long-term planning and budgeting for maintenance costs more certain.
Rob Watson, president of Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce, noted that the company is pleased to deepen its long-standing partnership with the Philippine carrier. He explained that the Trent XWB-97 has become the brand’s most popular engine over the last year and a half, thanks to its proven performance and efficiency. When combined with the all-round operational support from TotalCare, this order will help Philippine Airlines get the best possible performance as it grows its A350-1000 fleet.
