Rolls-Royce awarded $800m

has chosen

Trent 1000 engines to power its new fleet of 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

The deal, which marks the Trent 1000’s first selection by a Chinese carrier, is valued at $800m, including a long-term TotalCare maintenance agreement. Deliveries of the aircraft will begin in June 2008.

Simon Robertson, Chairman of Rolls-Royce, said: 'Success in the world’s fastest growing aviation market carries a high level of strategic importance, and this announcement by the national airline sends a very positive message.

'Having also selected a different version of the Trent for its Airbus A330s, Air China has re-confirmed its faith in the Trent series by this latest decision.'

Air China began taking deliveries this year of 20 Trent 700-powered A330s. The airline also operates Boeing 757s with Rolls-Royce RB211-535 engines.

Rolls-Royce engines are in service with ten Chinese airlines, including those based in Hong Kong and

.