United Airlines CEO Kirby rips Rolls-Royce at IATA summit

United Airlines CEO Kirby Blasts Rolls-Royce for Lack of Support

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby publicly attacked engine supplier Rolls-Royce at the International Air Transport Association’s 82nd annual general meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, accusing the British manufacturer of failing to honor its commitments, according to Bloomberg.bloomberg

Kirby praised rival engine makers GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney while singling out Rolls-Royce for criticism, escalating a dispute that has already led to legal action between the two companies over a stalled aircraft order.

A Dispute Months in the Making

The confrontation comes after months of deteriorating relations between United and Rolls-Royce. In a regulatory filing disclosed in February, United revealed it had accused Rolls-Royce of breach of contract over a $175 million down payment made in 2017 for engines to power 45 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. United filed a reimbursement claim in December 2025, but Rolls-Royce refused payment, terminated the relevant contract, and counter-accused United of breach of contract.airinsight

United has since removed the A350 from its delivery schedule, effectively shelving a widebody order it first placed in 2009. The dispute centers on Rolls-Royce’s position as the sole engine supplier for the A350 program, leaving United with no alternative if it wishes to operate the aircraft type.reuters

Industry-Wide Engine Frustrations

Kirby’s remarks at the IATA AGM reflect broader airline frustration with engine manufacturers. At an industry conference in New York last week, Kirby said between 800 and 900 aircraft globally are currently grounded because engines are not available.facebook

The tension is not unique to United. At the Aviation Festival Americas in Miami on June 3, LATAM Airlines CEO Roberto Alvo said airlines had become “the test beds of the technology altogether” and urged airframers to stop introducing new engines until existing ones prove reliable. WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech described the situation as “a fundamental reliability issue” and criticized engine makers for profiting from repairs on products that fail prematurely.aviationweek

What Comes Next

The IATA AGM, running June 6-8 and hosted by LATAM Airlines, has drawn more than 130 airline CEOs amid rising jet fuel costs driven by Middle East tensions. IATA Director General Willie Walsh warned on Saturday that more airlines will face insolvency in the coming year.iata

For United and Rolls-Royce, the path forward remains uncertain. Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic said in early June that the company had won new deals for its Trent engines and was working on “many campaigns”. Whether those campaigns include repairing the relationship with one of the world’s largest airlines remains to be seen.bloomberg