Virgin Atlantic chooses Rolls-Royce engines

Virgin Atlantic Airways has chosen Rolls-Royce engines to power its new fleet of Boeing Co 787 Dreamlines jets in a deal worth £1.3 billion ($2.6 billion).

The deal, announced by Virgin Chairman Richard Branson in New York, includes 15 sets of installed Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, 4 spares, and engines for another 28 787s, which Virgin has not yet committed to buy.

Branson said the 787 planes might eventually help Virgin expand its transatlantic services to other European cities. However, he said his airline had no immediate plans to take advantage of the Open Skies aviation agreement, which will liberalise US European travel when it comes into effect at the end of this month.

Branson said ideally we’d like to be flying from a number of European cities. Currently, we have a shortage of planes, making it better to focus operations on its profitable London routes.

British Airways has plans to start flights between mainland Europe and the United States in the summer.

Virgin is also involved in rail travel, hotels, telecommunications and financial services.

Story link: Virgin Atlantic chooses Rolls-Royce engines