Rolls-Royce closes civil engine production

Rolls-Royce has announced that it plans to “significantly reduce all but an essential activity” within its UK civil aerospace facilities for seven days but will continue to pay its workers. The decision is limited to its civil aero-engine business, which is focused in Derby.

The company stated in a press release the move would enable it “to confirm the effectiveness of the measures taken to date and enhance our processes in order to sustain modified operations and activities over a longer period.

“Our priority since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak has been to ensure the well-being of all our employees. We have been actively implementing government guidelines throughout our global facilities, particularly those relating to social distancing, including in the UK where our manufacturing sites have to date remained fully operational,” it added. “This will allow us to focus on supporting customers and vital services, including air freight operations, during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, we will continue to maintain our critical capability that ensures airlines can continue to operate.”

At present many of the engine’s manufacturers customers have grounded their fleets due to the pandemic.