AFI KLM E&M and Rolls-Royce Begin Maintenance on First Trent XWB-84 at Paris Air Show 2025

AFI KLM E&M and Rolls-Royce Commence Maintenance on First Trent XWB-84 at Paris Air Show 2025

Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) and Rolls-Royce have officially begun maintenance operations on their first Trent XWB-84 engine at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport MRO facility. This milestone, announced during the Paris Air Show 2025, marks a significant advancement in their partnership and establishes on-site servicing capabilities for Air France’s expanding fleet of Airbus A350 aircraft, all powered by the Trent XWB series.

Strengthening Operational Resilience and Global Maintenance Capacity

The introduction of this maintenance capability not only enhances Air France’s operational resilience but also broadens Rolls-Royce’s global maintenance network, addressing the increasing long-term demand for the Trent XWB civil engine program. This development builds on the 2023 Paris Air Show agreement that extended the partnership to include Trent XWB support, following a collaboration that began in 2014 with Air France-KLM’s acquisition of the A350.

Both Air France and KLM now rely on Trent XWB-powered A350s as central elements of their long-haul fleets. The new facility is expected to improve overhaul and repair services, ensuring sustained reliability and performance for these advanced engines. Paul Keenan, director of commercial aviation aftermarket operations at Rolls-Royce, emphasized the strategic importance of this step, stating, “We’re investing in a resilient future and plan to significantly increase our global MRO capacity and capability by 2030. Today marks an important milestone as we see the first Trent XWB-84 inducted for MRO at AFI KLM E&M. Their long heritage of MRO experience will enhance overhaul and repair capabilities for the Trent XWB-84 engine, allowing for additional capacity across the Rolls-Royce network.”

Anne Brachet, executive vice president at AFI KLM E&M, highlighted the significance of the induction, noting, “The induction of the first Trent XWB-84 engine into our Paris facility marks a major milestone in our partnership with Rolls-Royce and in the continued evolution of our MRO capabilities. This new chapter enables us to provide dedicated support for Air France’s A350 fleet while also contributing to the global Trent XWB aftermarket network.”

Navigating Industry Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite this progress, the collaboration faces ongoing challenges, including adapting to post-Covid supply chain disruptions and intensified market competition. Maintaining the Trent XWB-84’s reliability and performance remains a critical priority, particularly as Rolls-Royce prepares to introduce the new fuel-saving ‘EP’ (Enhanced Performance) variant. Industry analysts are closely monitoring how these technological advancements will influence operational costs and whether competitors will accelerate their own engine upgrades to match or exceed Rolls-Royce’s durability improvements.

Under the expanded partnership, engine health and maintenance will be managed through Rolls-Royce’s comprehensive TotalCare service program. Earlier in 2025, Air France celebrated a milestone of one million engine flying hours on the Trent XWB-84, underscoring the engine’s increasing importance in the airline’s long-haul operations.

The induction of the Trent XWB-84 at Paris Charles de Gaulle represents not only a technical achievement but also a strategic move as AFI KLM E&M and Rolls-Royce respond to evolving industry demands and competitive pressures within the global aviation market.