This article is based on an official press release from RTX.

RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Canada Secures 15-Year Maintenance Deal with Scoot

Pratt & Whitney Canada, a business unit of RTX, has officially announced the signing of a 15-year maintenance agreement with Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. The contract, finalized on February 3, 2026, covers the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of the APS5000 auxiliary power units (APUs) installed on Scoot’s fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

According to the company’s announcement, the agreement encompasses a minimum of 24 APS5000 units. This deal represents a renewal and expansion of a relationship that began in 2014, when Scoot first introduced the widebody 787 into its operations. The long-term contract is designed to provide the airline with predictable maintenance costs and guaranteed dispatch reliability, critical factors for a low-cost carrier operating high-utilization routes.

Scope of the Agreement

The 15-year term underscores a significant commitment from both parties to secure long-term operational stability. Under the terms of the agreement, Pratt & Whitney Canada will provide comprehensive support for the APS5000 engines, which are essential for the ground operations of the Boeing 787. The manufacturer stated that the service model focuses on delivering “long-term durability” and ensuring that the APUs remain at peak performance levels throughout their lifecycle.

Anthony Rossi, vice president of Customer Service at Pratt & Whitney Canada, highlighted the strategic nature of the renewal in a statement included in the press release:

“This new contract builds on the longstanding relationship we have developed with Scoot. The maintenance solutions we provide our customers help ensure the peak performance of the APS5000 APU fleet, delivering predictable maintenance costs, long-term durability and dispatch reliability.”

Technical Context: The APS5000 APU

The APS5000 is a critical component of the Boeing 787’s “more electric” architecture. Unlike traditional auxiliary power units that use bleed air to start main engines, the APS5000 is the industry’s first all-electric APU for large commercial aircraft. It generates 450kVA of electrical power, which is used to start the main engines and power cabin systems, such as air conditioning and avionics, while the aircraft is on the ground.

According to data provided by RTX, the company has manufactured more than 1,400 APS5000 units to date. These units have accumulated nearly 16 million flight hours globally. The system is also marketed as the quietest in its class with the lowest emissions, a key consideration for operators flying into airports with strict noise and environmental curfews.

AirPro News Analysis

We view this 15-year agreement as a strategic defensive move by Scoot to mitigate supply chain volatility. In the current aviation landscape, where MRO capacity is often strained, “locking in” direct OEM support ensures that Scoot receives priority access to parts and technical expertise. For a low-cost carrier (LCC), the APU represents a potential single point of failure on the ground; if an APU fails at a remote airport without adequate ground power units, the aircraft cannot start its engines, leading to costly delays.

By securing a “power-by-the-hour” style arrangement, Scoot effectively transfers the technical risk of these complex, all-electric systems back to the manufacturer. This allows the airline to stabilize its operating expenses over the next decade and a half, ensuring that its widebody fleet maintains the quick turnaround times necessary for its business model.

Sources

Sources: RTX