A350-900

International Airlines Group has awarded a contract to Rolls-Royce to provide Trent XWB engines for eight Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

The group placed the aircraft order with Airbus in August last year.

Spanish airline Iberia will use the aircraft as part of its fleet modernisation programme, to serve new long-haul routes.

Rolls-Royce civil large engines chief customer officer said: "We welcome IAG’s decision to select further aircraft powered by our Trent XWB engines.

"We look forward to delivering outstanding engine performance to a valued customer."

"We welcome IAG’s decision to select further aircraft powered by our Trent XWB engines."

Iberia currently operates 17 Trent 500-powered A340-600 aircraft. The latest deal will increase its Trent-powered aircraft fleet to 33.

Said to be the world’s most efficient, large civil aero engine, the Trent XWB powered the first A350 XWB aircraft earlier this year.

Rolls-Royce has so far sold more than 1,500 engines to 40 customers worldwide.

The latest addition to Airbus wide-body product line, the A350 XWB, is said to offer 25% in fuel efficiency, and is offered in three versions from 276 to 369 seats.

Earlier this month, IAG placed a $5.2bn order with Airbus for 31 aircraft, including eight A350-900s, three wide-body A330-200s, and 20 A320neos.

Image: An A350 XWB aircraft in Iberia livery. Photo: courtesy of Fixion / Airbus SAS.