Rolls-Royce and Emirates have announced a significant expansion of their long-term partnership, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see Emirates establish its own Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capability for its Trent 900 engines. Concurrently, the airlines’ TotalCare service agreement for the A380’s Trent 900 fleet has been extended to the 2040s.
This strategic move grants Emirates the rights to perform heavy maintenance on its Trent 900 engines, which power its entire fleet of Airbus A380 aircraft. Emirates will construct a new state-of-the-art MRO facility at its Engineering Centre in Dubai, with the first engine induction planned for 2027. The facility will specialize in fan case repairs, while Rolls-Royce will retain module repair capabilities within its wider global network.
Paul Keenan, Director of Commercial Aviation Aftermarket Operations at Rolls-Royce, hailed the announcement as a milestone. “Our global network combines a strong mix of Rolls-Royce-owned facilities, joint ventures, and strategic collaborations with industry partners. We are delighted to welcome Emirates to that mix,” he stated. Keenan emphasized that the agreement boosts overall network capacity and reinforces Rolls-Royce’s commitment to delivering exceptional products and services.
The decision is driven by Emirates’ commitment to operating its iconic A380 fleet for the next two decades. Ahmed Safa, Head of Engineering and MRO at Emirates, explained, “We wanted to secure our own engine maintenance capabilities.” He noted the agreement deepens the partnership with Rolls-Royce and will bring the latest MRO technologies to Dubai as part of the Emirates Engineering Maintenance Centre (EEMC) expansion, adding significant value to the local aerospace sector.
The extended TotalCare agreement remains a cornerstone of the partnership. This premium service transfers engine maintenance cost and operational risk to Rolls-Royce, providing Emirates with financial and operational predictability. It is supported by advanced engine health monitoring data, aiming to maximize aircraft availability, reliability, and efficiency.
This collaboration ensures dedicated maintenance support for the A380 fleet’s long-term future while expanding Rolls-Royce’s global MRO footprint ahead of its 2030 capacity goals. It represents a powerful alignment of Emirates’ operational strategy with Rolls-Royce’s network expansion, securing the legacy of the world’s largest passenger aircraft.
