Airport

Rolls-Royce to start UltraFan prototype tests this year

Rolls-Royce has announced the completion of the world’s largest aero-engine technology demonstration, UltraFan®, which will provide a portfolio of technologies to support sustainable air travel for decades to come.

During the Farnborough Airshow, Rolls-Royce announced their new engine Demonstrator Ultra fan, which might be the newest technology generation in aviation, benefiting airlines more in terms of capacity and efficiency.

The 140-inch-fan-diameter demonstrator engine is being finished at the RR plant in Derby, UK, before its inaugural flight later this year on 100 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel. When compared to the original generation Trent engine, it improves fuel efficiency by 25%.

Courtesy : Rolls Royce

UltraFan provides a wide range of environmental solutions. In the near future, there may be opportunities to adapt innovations from the UltraFan development programme to current Trent engines, resulting in even greater fuel efficiency and emission reductions.

Longer future, UltraFan’s scalable technology from 25,000 to 100,000lb thrust has the ability to power new narrowbody and widebody aircraft in the 2030s.

Courtesy : Rolls-Royce

UltraFan provides a framework for the utilisation of a variety of energy options and power systems, including current jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuels, as well as future hybrid-electric and hydrogen potential.

Key engineering features of the engine include:

A new, proven, Advance3 core architecture, combined with our ALECSys lean burn combustion system, to deliver maximum fuel burn efficiency and low emissions
Carbon titanium fan blades and a composite casing
Advanced ceramic matrix composite (CMC) components that operate more effectively at high pressures and temperatures
A geared design that delivers efficient power for the high-thrust, high bypass ratio engines of the future. The power gearbox has run at 64MW, an aerospace record

When UltraFan is on test at Rolls-Royce’s new £90m Testbed 80 facility, data can be taken from more than 10,000 parameters, detecting the tiniest of vibrations at a rate of up to 200,000 samples per second.

Airport

Three Major UK Airports Up for Multi-Billion Pound Sale

Three major UK airports, including London City, Birmingham, and Bristol, are set to be sold in a multi-billion pound deal as their Canadian owner, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), seeks to capitalize on a booming air travel market.

The OTPP is in talks with minority shareholders about selling its stakes in these airports, as well as its holdings in Brussels and Copenhagen airports.

Current evaluations suggest the combined value of the five airports exceeds £10 billion, with OTPP owning between 25% and 70% stakes in each, potentially bringing the total sale to over £3.5 billion.

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The move comes as global aviation experiences a strong recovery, driving increased demand for air travel, particularly across Europe. The OTPP, which holds a significant portion of its portfolio in these airports, is in the process of offering its shares to co-investors with a 30-day “right of first refusal” period.

Analysts speculate that the sale could trigger a chain reaction, prompting other stakeholders to consider selling their shares, particularly if a new buyer seeks a controlling interest.

Bristol Airport, for example, has outlined an ambitious master plan to expand its capacity from 12 million passengers per year to 15 million by 2036, addressing the growing demand in the region.

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Meanwhile, London’s Heathrow and Stansted airports have seen record passenger traffic, further underscoring the sector’s recovery.

As the 30-day period progresses, the OTPP’s decision could spark a flurry of activity, with other investors such as Australian giant Macquarie reportedly showing interest in the airports.

This potential sale is set to reshape the future of UK airport ownership and investment, as the aviation industry continues to recover and grow.