The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Rolls-Royce plc have signed a joint policy statement that supports open competition in the aviation marketplace. At the core of this statement is a pledge of non-interference with airlines and MROs that want to use DER repairs and/or PMA parts.
The press release for the statement summarizes Rolls-Royce’s current position on competition in the aftermarket:
1. Rolls-Royce does not prevent the development of legitimate non-OEM parts or non-OEM repairs by MRO providers and independent parts manufacturers, as long as they are approved by the appropriate airworthiness regulator;
2. Rolls-Royce’s policy is to grant airlines, lessors and MRO providers non-discriminatory access to OEM parts, repairs and support (including access to Rolls-Royce Care);
3. Rolls-Royce does not discriminate against airlines, lessors or MRO providers that use non-OEM parts or repairs;
4. Rolls-Royce will not insist that airlines or lessors subscribe to Rolls-Royce services.
“IATA Welcomes Rolls-Royce Commitment to Open Aftermarket Best Practice” (01 July 2021) (IATA-Rolls-Royce Joint Press Release).
Airlines and MROs should be able to use PMAs without fear of retribution from Rolls-Royce. This means that Rolls-Royce is committing that it will sell parts to air carriers and MROs who use PMAs at the same price as those who do not. License terms and conditions will not be based on the use of PMA parts. Rolls-Royce has pledged that it will not use unreasonable pricing of inputs (including data or manuals) as a means of preventing airlines and MROs from using PMA parts or DER repairs
This joint statement is a policy statement, and it is not meant to create any legally enforceable obligations or rights. Nonetheless it is a positive development, as it expresses a clear intent by Rolls-Royce to refrain from interfering in Airline/MRO use of PMAs.
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