エアロジニー — あなたのインテリジェントな副操縦士。
現在のトレンド
Categories
Rolls-Royce Acknowledges Thai Airways Shortfall, Plans Regional Recovery

Rolls-Royce Acknowledges Thai Airways Shortfall, Plans Regional Recovery
Challenges with Thai Airways and Engine Reliability
Rolls-Royce is entering the final phase of its upgraded Trent 1000 XE engine for the Boeing 787 this quarter, aiming to regain its position in the fiercely competitive aircraft engine market. The British engineering firm has faced persistent reliability issues with its Trent 1000 engines, which have led to significant customer losses, most notably Thai Airways’ decision to switch suppliers two years ago. Speaking at the Singapore Airshow 2026, Ewen McDonald, Rolls-Royce’s chief customer officer for civil aerospace, openly acknowledged the company’s failure to retain Thai Airways. He attributed the airline’s move to a lack of technical confidence in the engine fixes rather than pricing concerns. Thai Airways opted for GE Aerospace’s GEnx engines for its 45 new Boeing 787s in 2024 after repeated criticism of the Trent 1000’s durability and prolonged maintenance periods, which extended up to 120 days compared to the previous 90-day standard.
Rolls-Royce has defended its pricing strategy by citing industry-wide supply chain disruptions and geopolitical instability as key drivers behind recent cost increases. However, market reactions have been mixed, with some analysts urging original equipment manufacturers and suppliers to accelerate adaptation to advanced aircraft models and emerging technologies. The competitive environment remains intense, particularly in the Pacific region, where Air New Zealand, a traditional Rolls-Royce customer, has chosen GE engines for its five new Boeing 787s, despite its existing fleet of 14 Dreamliners continuing to operate with Rolls-Royce powerplants. Competitors are capitalizing on improvements in engine durability and supply chain efficiency to attract airlines prioritizing reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Strategic Shift and Regional Focus
In response, Rolls-Royce is transitioning from a defensive stance to a more assertive campaign to reclaim market share, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia, which it identifies as the fastest-growing aviation market globally. The company has rebranded its upgraded engine as the Trent 1000 XE, marking a clear departure from previous issues. According to McDonald, the initial “Phase 1” upgrade, already in service, has more than doubled the engine’s time-on-wing—a critical performance metric for airline operators. He emphasized the timing of these improvements, noting that when Thai Airways made its decision, the XE upgrades were still in early development. “Maybe if they’re looking at it today, they would have a different decision because the confidence point is much higher,” McDonald remarked.
Beyond the Boeing 787 program, Rolls-Royce is also advancing efforts to enhance the durability of its largest engine for the Airbus A350-1000, aiming to reassure both customers and investors of its long-term commitment to reliability. While the company’s power systems and data centers segments show promising growth potential, the turnaround of its civil aerospace division remains a central priority. As Rolls-Royce finalizes the Trent 1000 XE upgrades and intensifies its recovery efforts in Southeast Asia, the market remains cautious. The company’s capacity to adapt to new technologies and restore confidence among major airline customers will be closely monitored in the coming months.

Aviation Industry Faces Challenges Amid Record Demand

Velocitor X-1 Advances Personal Flight Technology

GE Aerospace Develops Aviation Technology at Singapore Facility

CDB Aviation Delivers Three Boeing 737-8 Jets to WestJet

Australia Launches System to Convert CO₂ into Aviation Fuel

1977 Piper PA-32R-300 Lance Reviewed as a Reliable Light Aircraft

Boeing and Airbus Shares Rise Amid Potential Saudi Jet Order Talks

Centaurium Aviation MRO Ltd. Announces Ownership Change

Jet.AI Revises FlyExclusive Transaction Details for Shareholders
