Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, today powers the delivery of the first Airbus A380 aircraft to a Chinese airline.

The aircraft is the first of five ordered by China Southern Airlines, all equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, to be delivered.

Si Xianmin, Chairman, China Southern Airlines, said: “We have enjoyed a long and positive relationship with Rolls-Royce, operating a range of its engines in our current fleet, and look forward to this continuing in the future.”

Phil Harris, Rolls-Royce, Senior Vice President – Civil Aerospace, said: “We are proud that our market leading Trent technology is powering China Southern Airlines’ new fleet of A380 aircraft, the first to enter service in China. China Southern Airlines is an extremely important customer and we look forward to extending our positive relationship as we support their continued growth.”

The Trent 900 has been selected by 11 out of 16 operators globally, seven out of eight operators in Asia and has been the choice of all A380 customers who have made engine selection decisions this year.

Trent 900 Facts

• At take-off, the Airbus A380’s four Trent 900s can deliver thrust of 280,000lbF, equivalent to the power of 1,900 cars.
• Each Trent 900 can suck in more than a tonne of air per second – the equivalent of all the air in a squash court.
• The highest temperature inside an engine is nearly half as hot as the surface of the sun.