Since its first Lockheed L-1011 TriStar powered by the RB211 was delivered to Cathay Pacific Airways in 1975, the total value of Rolls-Royce engine business to the airline is around $3.25 billion at today’s list prices.

It was only when the RB211 was available on the Boeing 747 that Cathay Pacific ordered this aircraft. Its first 747-200 was delivered in 1979 and the -300 in 1985.

Cathay Pacific has since become a launch customer for many new Rolls-Royce programmes with the following engines entering service. In 1986 it ordered the RB211-524G/H for the Boeing 747-400. In 1995 it took delivery of the first Trent 700-powered Airbus A330-300, the same years as Dragonair took its Trent powered A330s.

Cathay Pacific became the second airline to operate the Trent 800-powered Boeing 777-200 in 1996, and in 1998 became the launch customer for the Trent 892 powered Boeing 777-300. The airline is also a Trent 500 operator and took its first Airbus A340-600 in 2002. Today, the installed base of RB211 and Trent engines is 200.

There is also a link with the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO) which is a partner with Rolls-Royce in both Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Ltd (HAESL) and Singapore Aero Engine Services Ltd (SAESL).

Hong Kong is kept on the move by Rolls-Royce marine engines, which can be found in two thirds of the Star Ferry fleet of vessels which cross Victoria Harbour every day. The Crossley brand engines have been providing faithful service for more than 30 years. Rolls-Royce gas turbine engines are also used on some 20 of the craft owned by Far East Hydrofoil which speed between Hong Kong and Macau.

Meanwhile, at the Government Dockyard in Aberdeen, Rolls-Royce Syncrolift equipment helps ensure government vessels spend as little time as possible undergoing maintenance.