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 US$700m for five new Beluga XL air transporter aircraft. The aircraft will replace the current Airbus Beluga fleet. 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% air transport capacity.