Brussels, Belgium: The European Commission has closed its antitrust investigation into Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. after the aircraft-engine manufacturer amended contractual provisions that had raised concerns over independent suppliers’ access to critical inputs and services in the turboprop engine spare-parts market. The Commission announced the decision on August 21, 2026.
The investigation concerned Pratt & Whitney Canada’s activities in the European Economic Area (EEA), where the company is the main supplier of turboprop aircraft engines, according to the European Commission. Regulators examined whether contractual arrangements could restrict competition from independent suppliers of used serviceable material (USM).
The Commission specifically examined whether Pratt & Whitney Canada could have restricted access to used engine cores and certification services required by USM suppliers. These companies acquire used engines, dismantle them to recover usable components and supply those parts for aircraft maintenance and repairs. Certification services are required to establish that recovered components are airworthy and suitable for reuse.
According to the Commission’s findings outlined in its release, the concern was that Pratt & Whitney Canada’s contractual arrangements could limit the ability of maintenance shops within its network to sell used engine cores or provide certification services to USM suppliers. Such restrictions could have made it harder for independent suppliers to compete in the aftermarket.
Following discussions with the Commission, Pratt & Whitney Canada amended the contractual clauses under examination. The company also clarified that maintenance shops within its network are not prevented from purchasing USM from other suppliers. The Commission subsequently concluded that the competition concerns it had investigated had been addressed and that further action was no longer a priority at EU level.
On August 21, 2026 the Commission said the closure followed the company’s amendments, which removed possible obstacles to spare-parts suppliers’ access to critical inputs and services. The report identified the investigation as concerning alleged anti-competitive practices by Pratt & Whitney Canada, a unit of RTX.
A European Commission spokesperson described it as “relatively rare” for a preliminary investigation to be closed in this manner. Because the investigation had not been formalised, the Commission did not provide further details of the individual contractual provisions examined.
Pratt & Whitney Canada confirmed that it had reached an informal settlement with the European Commission and said it appreciated the Commission’s engagement throughout the process.
The Commission, however, made clear that closing the investigation does not amount to a finding that the conduct complied with EU competition rules. The case ended after the contractual changes addressed the Commission’s concerns; there was no formal infringement decision reported in connection with the closure.
The case was focused on the engine aftermarket rather than the sale of new engines, with independent companies relying on used engines and components that can be dismantled, repaired or returned to service.
The Commission’s action therefore removes the specific contractual concerns that prompted the preliminary investigation while leaving the wider turboprop aftermarket open to independent suppliers under the amended arrangements. The European regulator has closed the case rather than moving toward a formal infringement proceeding.
