Midwest Express order

Rolls-Royce PLC
11 April 2001



                                                                April 11, 2001


             Rolls-Royce powers entire new Midwest Express fleet

Rolls-Royce today (April 11) announced that it will power up to 90 aircraft
for Midwest Express Airlines. The airline will acquire up to 50 Boeing 717-200
twinjets powered by BR715 engines and up to 40 Embraer regional jets powered
by AE 3007 engines. The total value to Rolls-Royce is around $640 million,
bringing the total orders won by the group this year to more than $5 billion.

The Boeing 717-200s (20 firm and 30 options) will allow for expansion and
replace some of the Midwest Express fleet of DC-9 aircraft, operated primarily
on routes out of the airline's Milwaukee, Omaha and Kansas City hubs.
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in February 2003 and continue until 2006.

A further 20 firm and 20 option Embraer aircraft will expand and eventually
replace some of the Skyway Airlines' Beech 1900D aircraft. Initially Skyway
will acquire the ERJ 140, but ultimately the order will consist of a mix of
Embraer regional jets including the ERJ 135, 140 and 145s. Deliveries are
scheduled to begin in 2002 and continue to 2005.

John Cheffins, President - Civil Aerospace for Rolls-Royce said: 'The
selection of all Rolls-Royce power on this new fleet reaffirms our track
record to provide reliability and durability. As the engine partner for both
programmes, we are proud to welcome Midwest Express as our newest customer.'

Timothy E. Hoeksema, chairman, president and chief executive officer of
Midwest Express Airlines, remarked: 'We're proud to partner with Rolls-Royce.
They have a strong image as a quality company, and we're pleased that both
types of aircraft we will be adding to our fleet will carry Rolls-Royce
engines.'


The Rolls-Royce BR715 turbofan is the sole engine for the Boeing 717, the only
modern aircraft in the 100-seat market in production and available today. The
engine is the cleanest and quietest in its class, combining efficiency and
robustness. Designed for the high-cycle airline operation of up to 12 flights
per day, the BR715 engine is certified at a take-off thrust range of 18,500 -
21,000 lb.

The Rolls-Royce AE 3007 is the engine for all Embraer production aircraft of
50-seats and under. Over 400 aircraft have been delivered to operators, and
more than

4 million flying hours will be accumulated by year-end.

Firm orders for the Boeing 717-200 total 174, with aircraft currently
operating in the US, Europe, Asia and Australia.

The Embraer ERJ 135, 140 and 145 order book stands at nearly 1,300 firm and
option aircraft.


                                     -2-

Note to Editor:


Rolls-Royce plc is a global company providing power on land, sea and air. The
company has established leading positions in civil aerospace, defence, marine
and energy markets. Its core gas turbine technology has created one of the
broadest product ranges of aero engines in the world, with 55,000 engines in
service in over 150 countries. Customers include more than 500 airlines, 2,400
corporate and utility operators and 160 armed forces, using both fixed and
rotary wing aircraft.


Rolls-Royce is the global leader in marine power systems with a broad product
range and full systems integration capability. Over 2,000 marine customers and
more than 30 navies use Rolls-Royce propulsion. The company is investing in
new products and capabilities for energy markets, which include the oil and
gas industry and power generation. It also develops its own power projects
through Rolls-Royce Power Ventures Ltd.


Rolls-Royce pioneered gas turbine technology for aerospace, power generation
and marine propulsion and is involved in the major future programmes in these
fields. These include the Trent aero and industrial engines, the Eurofighter
Typhoon and Joint Strike Fighter combat engines, the WR21 marine engine and
leading edge water jet propulsion systems.

Internet links:

Rolls-Royce:  www.rolls-royce.com

Boeing 717 homepage: www.boeing.com/commercial/717/

Embraer:  www.embraer.com

Midwest Express Airlines:  www.midwestexpress.com

For further information please contact:

Martin Johnson

Head of Communications, Aerospace

Tel: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]