A regulatory change that will open European skies to single-engine IFR flights for commercial passenger service by early 2017 will open new growth opportunities for the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop, the engine company said Tuesday at the Farnborough Airshow.

The company played a consultancy role in helping the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) develop the guidelines that standardize and expand the use of single-engine turbine aircraft flying commercial passenger missions throughout Europe.

“For European operators offering commercial passenger service, the approval of single-engine IFR positions the PT6A engine at the head of the pack and permits operators to reduce their operational costs,” said P&WC vice president of general aviation Denis Parisien. “This provides operators a significant competitive advantage, opening up entirely new opportunities in charter and commuter services.”

The PT6A series has flown in single-engine commercial passenger operation in other parts of the world since the 1990s. Regulations in North America, New Zealand and Australia all allow aircraft powered by PT6As to fly such missions.