Significant corrections

“After a challenging first half, we had a good end to 2019, delivering 25% growth in full year underlying operating profit and an encouraging level of free cash flow”, commented Warren East, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce. “Our restructuring efforts gained momentum, with run-rate cost savings of £269m (€309m). Civil Aerospace improved its underlying profit significantly, with record engine deliveries, good aftermarket performance and improved OE unit losses. We made further progress on the Trent 1000; cash costs are in line with guidance. We remain on target to reduce aircraft on ground to single digits by the end of the second quarter of 2020”, he added.

Warren East described the corrections made to the Trent 1000 turbojet engine as “significant”. Speaking during the presentation of the company's results for the year 2019, the CEO of Rolls-Royce said that the 578 million pounds associated with the work on Trent 1000 in 2019 would mark a peak in spending for redesigns, engine certifications and replacements.

Package B and Trent 1000 TEN.

Rolls-Royce is optimistic about the certification of a redesign of part of the IP compressor of the Trent 1000 Package B during the second half of the year. As a reminder, the engine manufacturer also obtained certification on seven of the eight changes made. East also commented that the ninth task - the design work for the Trent 1000 TEN high pressure turbine blade - remains on schedule for entry into service in the first half of 2021.

ANA and Air New Zealand.

Despite the technical problems encountered on Trent 1000 and despite the defection of two airlines, which have chosen GEnx from General Electric, Rolls-Royce has managed to limit the damage. The Japanese airline ANA (All Nippon Airways) ultimately selected the GEnx for its latest batch of Boeing 787. So did Air New Zealand, last year.