OREANDA-NEWS. As part of the continued development of its Trent Service Network, Rolls-Royce today announced an agreement for Delta TechOps to become an independent Approved Maintenance Centre.

Under this agreement Delta TechOps will provide engine overhaul services for the latest generation Trent XWB and Trent 7000 engines for Delta Air Lines and other customers.

Delta TechOps, a division of Delta Air Lines, joins Rolls-Royce’s existing joint ventures and wholly-owned Trent overhaul operations as Approved Maintenance Centres within the Trent Service Network.

The agreement today is part of Rolls-Royce’s ongoing strategic plan to develop a competitive and capable network to meet the needs of customers as our fleet expands. Further developments will be announced in due course.

The work will be carried out at a new 100,000 square foot extension to its existing facility and a new test bed. Construction is expected to begin in 2018.

Richard Anderson, Delta Air Lines, Chief Executive Officer, said: “This is a significant investment in our future and positions us to work on Rolls-Royce engines both in America and beyond. We look forward to supporting Trent engines that have a worldwide reputation for excellence.”

Eric Schulz, Rolls-Royce, President – Civil Large Engines, said: “We are excited to announce Delta TechOps as a new independent Approved Maintenance Centre as we continue to develop a competitive and capable overhaul network. We know that Delta TechOps will deliver outstanding performance on their own engines and those of other customers.”

Delta Air Lines has ordered Trent XWB engines with TotalCare® service support for 25 Airbus A350s and Trent 7000 engines that will power 25 Airbus A330neo aircraft.

Delta TechOps is the largest airline MRO in North America and the third largest worldwide.  The announcement was made today at its site at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with executives from Rolls-Royce, Delta Air Lines and the City of Atlanta.