Re Contract

Rolls-Royce PLC
7 March 2002

7 March 2002



SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS SELECTS TRENT- POWERED A340-600s



Rolls-Royce today (7 March 2002) announced an order for Trent 500 engines from
South African Airways (SAA) as the airline unveiled its fleet renewal programme
in Johannesburg.   SAA has ordered nine Airbus A340-600s for which Rolls-Royce
is the sole engine supplier.  The total business is worth approximately US$400
million to Rolls-Royce.



Deliveries will begin this year and continue through to 2006. The A340-600s will
operate alongside SAA's fleet of Rolls-Royce RB211-powered Boeing 747-400s on
routes to Europe, Asia and North and South America.



John Cheffins, Chief Operating Officer, Rolls-Royce plc said: 'With its order
for Trent 500s, SAA will be installing a new generation of Rolls-Royce power for
its long-distance services, marking the extension of a valued 40-year
relationship.'



The 53,000 - 56,000lb Trent 500 is the only engine offered on growth versions of
the A340.  It is scheduled to enter service on the A340-600 in June, followed by
first commercial flights on the ultra-long-range A340-500 in the last quarter of
this year.



Trent 500s have accumulated more than 8,500 hours during development testing in
ground running and the flight test programme. Three A340-600s and one A340-500
are currently involved in flight testing. The Trent 500 was certified ahead of
schedule in December 2000.  It is lighter than its original specification and
has bettered noise targets.



Rolls-Royce has supplied engines to SAA since the 1960s when the Dart engine
entered service on its fleet of Vickers Viscounts.



For more information please contact:

Martin Brodie

Head of Corporate Media Relations

Tel: [phone]            Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

www.rolls-royce.com



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