Rolls-Royce benefits from Shein boom via air cargo market

Rolls-Royce is capitalizing on the growing popularity of fast fashion brands like Shein and expanding its presence in the air cargo market.

Demand for air freight capacity is increasing as consumers increasingly want clothing and other goods delivered from abroad within days rather than weeks.

This will create more work for engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce, which is traditionally more associated with passenger aircraft or military aircraft.

Ewen McDonald, the company’s chief customer officer for civil aerospace, said the “really strong market” was expected to accelerate. He added: “We expect it to double in the next 20 years.”

He said there would be demand for 500 large aircraft during that period.

“We’re really lucky that we’re starting this at the right time,” he said.

Previously dominated by American aircraft manufacturer Boeing and engine manufacturer GE, Airbus now wants to get in on the action with its A350F models powered by Rolls-Royce engines.

According to McDonald, recent orders are better than Boeing’s.

He added: ‘It’s a strong market. It’s supported by e-commerce. E-commerce is just going to get stronger and stronger.’