Rolls-Royce, American announce more work

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 19 (UPI) -- Rolls-Royce will send $1.6 billion in aircraft engine repair work to a Texas service center it runs with American Airlines, the companies said Monday.

Rolls-Royce will ship $900 million worth of work to Texas Aero Engine Services at Fort Worth's Alliance Airport over the next five years. If stated business goals are met, then the center would get another $700 million in work.

David Campbell, American's vice president of maintenance, said the agreement with the British-based engine manufacturer is a key element of American Airlines' turnaround plan.

American Airlines mechanics do the service work at the center that employs a total of 530 workers. The Roll-Royce joint venture has generated more than 200 additional American jobs because of the growth in engine maintenance work.

The joint venture was formed in April 1998. Mechanics repair and overhaul the RB211 engine, which American has on its Boeing 757 fleet, and the Trent 800 engine, which is on American's premier Boeing 777 aircraft.