Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, has criticized Rolls-Royce over its exclusive engine supply arrangement for the Airbus A350, describing the lack of competition as a weakness in the aviation market. His comments were made during an industry gathering in Rio de Janeiro.
The Airbus A350 is powered exclusively by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, leaving airlines with no alternative engine supplier when ordering the aircraft. Kirby argued that this limits customer choice and reduces competitive pressure within the market, particularly when airlines face operational or maintenance challenges.
The United Airlines chief also highlighted ongoing legal disputes related to a reported $175 million advance payment and pointed to broader engine supply chain issues affecting the global aviation industry. According to Kirby, engine shortages and maintenance delays have resulted in approximately 800 to 900 aircraft being grounded worldwide.
The dispute has had a direct impact on United’s fleet strategy, with the airline removing Airbus A350 deliveries from its future planning and placing greater emphasis on its Boeing 787 fleet. As airlines continue to face production delays, maintenance bottlenecks, and limited engine availability in 2026, United remains focused on expanding its long-haul network through the more readily available Boeing 787 platform.