Rolls-Royce Forecasts Business Aviation Growth

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Rolls-Royce predicts continued growth in business jet deliveries through the remainder of the decade and forecasts an engine market worth $70 billion over the next 20 years, with medium and large business jets dominating in terms of aircraft and engine value. The company's annual business jet forecast was released today at the National Business Aviation Association Annual Meeting and Convention in Orlando, Florida.

Rolls-Royce forecasts that 51,000 engines, valued at $70 billion, are needed over the next 20 years to meet demand for 24,000 new corporate jet aircraft; from very light jets through business jetliners. Demand is being fueled by the business community's increasing recognition of the value ofusing business jets as a productivity tool.

Of the 24,000 new corporate aircraft expected to enter the market, nearly half are expected to be in the medium or large business jet category. In fact, according to the market forecast, only the very popular commercial 130-190 seat aircraft will surpass the medium and large business jet category in deliveries over the next 20 years.

The forecast predicts that nearly 12,000 medium and large business jets will be delivered between 2006-2025. In terms of fleet size, this market segment is expected to grow 142% to a total of more than 16,500 aircraft by2025.

The Rolls-Royce AE 3007 engine powers the Cessna Citation X and Embraer Legacy 600. This medium jet category is expected to see 7,330 aircraft deliveries between 2006-2025 according to the forecast. This figure is second only to the Very Light Jet category in volume at 7,649 deliveries.

The company's Tay 611-8C engine powers Gulfstream's large cabin, long-range G350 and G450; the ultra long-range Bombardier Global Express and Gulfstream G550 aircraft are, both powered by Rolls-Royce BR710 engines. The company projects deliveries of more than 4,600 aircraft in this category.

Alan Stiley, Rolls-Royce Vice President for Marketing, Corporate and Regional Aircraft said: "The market is recognizing the increasing value and utility of the new generation of medium and large business jets. While very light jets are getting a great deal of attention and will see large numbers of deliveries, it's the larger aircraft that will have the delivered aircraft and engine value. Rolls-Royce remains well-positioned in this sector, having just over half of the market."

In terms of engine thrust, Rolls-Royce suggests that while the very light jets with engines of less than 3,000 pound thrust will have more than 21,000 engines delivered, the value of those deliveries is only $14 billion. At the same time, engines in the 6,000-10,000 pound thrust range can expect more than 13,000 deliveries at a value of $23 billion. Further, in the 10,000-22,000 pound thrust range, expectations are for 6,000 deliveries with a value of $20billion.

Rolls-Royce is well-positioned in these high value areas with engines in service with most of the leading airframers and is the leading provider of propulsion systems and services for these high-value medium and large businessjets, including the long and ultra long-range jets.

All of these engines can be supported by Rolls-Royce CorporateCare(R), the industry's most comprehensive engine maintenance management program.

For a copy of the full presentation, please visit:http://www.rolls-royce.com/nbaa2006

SOURCE Rolls-Royce