Major aerospace groups Airbus (manufacturer of airliners) and Rolls-Royce (maker of aeroengines) have announced connected major orders for their products from Australian national flag carrier Qantas. The airline has selected a trio of Airbus types to implement its fleet modernisation programme, namely 12 A350-1000 widebodies, 20 A321XLR (extra-long-range) single-aisle and 20 A220 smaller single-aisle airliners. (The carrier already has 109 Airbus A320neo family aircraft on order). From Rolls-Royce, Qantas has ordered Trent XWB-97 engines to power the A350s. The A350s will enable the airline to offer unprecedentedly long-range intercontinental services. These aircraft will allow Qantas to undertake direct flights from, for example, London and New York to Melbourne and Sydney. The institution of these new globe-spanning direct routes is called ‘Project Sunrise’ by the carrier.
