China marked a key step in expanding its high-end aero engine maintenance capabilities as the country's first joint venture for aero maintenance, repair and overhaul officially opened and began operations in the Beijing Capital International Airport Economic Zone on Wednesday.

As Rolls-Royce's fourth MRO JV facility — and the first of its kind in the Chinese mainland — the newly established Beijing Aero Engine Services Co Ltd aims to fill a longstanding gap in domestic capability for servicing high-thrust engines such as the Trent series.

The JV plans to gradually take on overhaul work for multiple engine types, including the Trent 700, Trent XWB-84 and Trent 1000, starting in 2026, with the company targeting an annual output of 250 overhauled engines by 2034, according to a company executive.

BAESL is jointly funded by Air China and Rolls-Royce, with each holding a 50-percent stake. The partnership aims to provide more reliable and efficient maintenance services for Air China's fleet, and also support Rolls-Royce in achieving its 2030 global MRO capacity goals and localized growth, the two groups said.

As a major hub for airport-based economic development, the BCIA economic zone has already attracted more than 20 aviation maintenance enterprises, generating 14 billion yuan in annual industrial output—accounting for nearly one-fifth of the national total.