Re Contract

20 March, 2006

           FINNAIR BECOMES FIRST CUSTOMER FOR ROLLS-ROYCE TRENT 1700           

Finnair has become the first airline to select the Rolls-Royce Trent 1700 to
power its fleet of nine firm, plus four option, Airbus A350-900s in a deal
worth $470 million at list prices. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2012.

Finnair, a new large engines customer for Rolls-Royce, becomes the 53rd airline
or leasing company to choose versions of the Trent engine series. The A350s
will replace Finnair's current long-haul fleet of MD-11s.

The Helsinki-based airline intends to use its Trent-powered A350s to support
its business growth strategy. The aircraft will be operated on its expanding
long haul services, particularly to the Far East, as the airline positions
Finland as the Asian gateway to Europe.

Jukka Hienonen, Chief Executive Officer at Finnair, said: "The Trent 1700
offers us the best operating economics as we continue to grow our business with
the best modern technologies. Our selection criteria was based on cost and
performance, and the Trent 1700 is a great match for these requirements."

Nick Devall, Executive Vice President, Civil Large Engines at Rolls-Royce,
added: "The addition of Finnair to our list of Trent customers in the face of a
strong incumbent supplier is a true endorsement of the Rolls-Royce pedigree.
Our combination of experience and innovation provides customers with a low risk
option that offers maximum benefits. We're obviously delighted to welcome
Finnair to our growing customer base."

NOTE TO EDITORS

 1. The 63,000 - 75,000lb thrust Trent 1700 is the sixth member of the
    three-shaft Trent engine series and is being developed specifically for the
    Airbus A350 twinjet. It is available for deliveries from mid-2011.
   
 2. Final engine configuration and selection of technologies is scheduled to be
    completed by the end of 2007, and parts manufacturing will begin in early
    2008. The first Trent 1700 will be ground tested in the first half of 2009.
    Later that year the engine will make its maiden flight on a flying test
    bed, followed by airworthiness certification and first flight on the A350,
    both in 2010.
   
 3. The Trent 1700 will be the only engine specifically developed and fully
    optimised for the 250-300 seat A350 and will utilise the latest available
    technology at entry into service.
   
 4. By the time the Trent 1700 enters service, Trent series engines will have
    accumulated more than 60 million flying hours.
   
 5. Finnair's links with Rolls-Royce date from the 1960s when its Caravelle
    airliners were powered by the Avon engine. It has also operated
    Dart-powered Fokker F27s. Finnair, one of the world's oldest operating
    airlines, was established in 1923.
   
For further information contact:

Annalie Brown
Communications Manager - Civil Aerospace
Rolls-Royce plc
Derby
UK

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]