Engine lessor Rolls-Royce & Partners Finance is establishing a presence in China by investing 2.3 billion yuan ($340 million) in a new asset-owning entity based in the Tianjin Dongjiang Comprehensive Bonded Zone.
There are almost 360 Rolls-Royce-powered aircraft in China, according to Aviation Week’s 2026 Commercial Fleet & MRO Forecast, including 105 Airbus A330-300s and 83 A350s. The data also forecasts that China’s total Rolls-Royce fleet will shrink over the next 10 years to about 320 aircraft.
However, that data was compiled before orders this summer from Air China and China Eastern for 15 Airbus A350-900s and 25 A330-900s, respectively. The A350s will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWBs and the A330s by Trent 7000s.
The new entity will focus on engine leasing, asset management and lifecycle services, providing a platform for Rolls-Royce & Partners Finance’s core activities in the country.
The company said that the transaction marks the first time a major international aviation lessor has established ownership of leasing assets in China for local operations, although another engine lessor to have set up shop in a Chinese free trade zone is Willis Lease Finance. It launched CASC Willis as a joint venture with China Aviation Supplies in 2014.
Hong Kong-based China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC) has also sought a closer relationship with mainland China through its Tianjin-based leasing subsidiary, which was set up to lease aircraft to Chinese airlines. Revenue for that subsidiary rose to 2.4 billion yuan in the first half of this year.
Recently, CALC also agreed with HAECO to explore the development of an engine quick-turn platform in Hong Kong, with an initial focus on quick-turn services, hospital repair and engine asset management. The companies will also partner to optimize the utilization of used serviceable material.
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