Upgraded Rolls-Royce Trent XWB Nears FAA Certification For A350-900

Airbus says it expects FAA certification soon of an improvement package on the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84, which will pave the way for use of the new engine variant by A350-900 operators worldwide.

The enhanced performance (EP) variant gives a 1% improvement in specific fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and was officially certificated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in December 2024. Airbus says, “confirmation of the EASA approval will be followed in the very near future with the FAA’s corresponding certification.”

Launched originally in 2016, the EP engine package incorporates turbine cooling and aerodynamics improvements developed for the higher-thrust XWB-97 variant powering the larger A350-1000 derivative. The package, which has been tested on 100% sustainable aviation fuel, also includes features from the next-generation Advance technology program.

Aspects of the EP, which is being introduced on newly built A350-900s in 2025, include an improved secondary air system and an inter-stage sealing system from the XWB-97, as well as upgrades to the turbine tip clearance control system.