Rolls-Royce reveals costly new problems with its jet engines
Firm says fault affects 'small number' of Package B Trent 1000 engines, adding to problems with a different model revealed in March
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rolls-Royce has discovered costly technical problems with a set of its engines, just weeks after it found a separate durability issue.
The engine maker said the fault affected a “small number” of its Package B Trent 1000 engines, adding to problems with its Package C Trent 1000 engines, revealed in March.
Rolls-Royce will inspect the Package B engines, which are used in Boeing aeroplanes, but said it will still hit financial targets for the year.
The news came just hours after the company refused to confirm or deny reports that it was set to axe 4,000 jobs.
In a statement, the company said: “We have therefore agreed with Boeing and the relevant regulatory authorities to carry out a one-off inspection of our Trent 1000 Package B fleet, to further inform our understanding.
“The Package B standard has been in service since 2012 and consists of 166 engines.”
In March, Rolls-Royce revealed that parts on around 500 of its Package C Trent 1000 engines were wearing out more quickly than expected. That meant higher costs related to additional inspections, but the group lowered its discretionary spending in order to hit financial targets.
The company announced plans to restructure in January and has hired consultants Alvarez and Marsal to act as advisors. Chief executive Warren East has described the company as inefficient.
Rolls-Royce made a pre-tax profit of £4.9bn in 2017, including a £2.6bn boost from the strengthening of the pound.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments