SMFLH / MRL merger inquiry
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the completed acquisition by SMFL LCI Helicopters Limited (SMFLH) of Macquarie Rotorcraft Limited (MRL).
Statutory timetable
| Date | Action |
| 3 December 2025 | Deadline for phase 1 decision (*) |
| 7 October 2025 | Launch of merger inquiry |
| 7 October 2025 to 21 October 2025 | Invitation to comment (**) |
| 15 May 2025 | Initial enforcement order (***) |
(*) Whilst the CMA will seek to determine its investigation as quickly as possible, the statutory deadline can be extended in certain limited circumstances.
(**) The CMA is inviting comments from any interested party.
(***) The CMA has made an initial enforcement order
Phase 1
Launch of merger inquiry
7 October 2025: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.
- (7.10.25)
Invitation to comment: closes 21 October 2025
7 October 2025: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.
To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.
Written representations about any competition issues should be provided by the deadline set out above.
Pre-notification
The CMA has received the necessary information from the parties to commence pre-notification.
Initial enforcement order
8 September 2025: The CMA has revoked and reissued the IEO imposed on 15 May 2025 in relation to the completed acquisition by聽SMFLH听辞蹿听MRL.
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听(9.9.25)
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(9.9.25)
15 May 2025: The CMA has revoked and reissued the IEO imposed on 15 May 2025 in relation to the completed acquisition by SMFLH of MRL.
- (22.5.25)
- (22.5.25)
15 May 2025: The CMA has served an IEO under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. (SMFG), Sumitomo Corporation (SC), Sumitomo Mitsui Finance & Leasing Co. Limited (SMFL), SMFLH, and MRL.
- (22.5.25)
Amendments / consents granted
- (22.5.25)
- (19.6.25)
- (19.6.25)
- (12.8.25)
Contact
Please send written representations about any competition or public interest to smfl.macquarierotorcraft@cma.gov.uk
Privacy notice
Your name and contact details are your personal data. In collecting, receiving, storing, accessing and using your personal data, the CMA, as controller, is processing your personal data. The CMA processes personal data in accordance with data protection law. The CMA is processing your personal data so that it can contact you again, should it need further help or information from you, in order to carry out its merger work under Part 3 of the Enterprise Act 2002. For more information about how the CMA processes personal data and your rights relating to that data, please see our Privacy notice.
Updates to this page
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Commencement notice published.
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Revocation order and reissued initial enforcement order published.
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2 derogation letters published
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Initial enforcement order revoked and reissued. Derogation consent published.
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First published.