While the rest of the world continues to struggle in the grip of an economic crisis, the recent Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (Labace) suggests that business aviation in Latin America, and Brazil in particular, is healthy and growing. Labace 2009’s record log of 13,342 visitors was 1,212 more than the previous year, not to mention the healthy list of 110 exhibitors.
Piaggio
July 7, 2009 - 12:02pm
As the larger fractional ownership operations lay off employees and/or reduce aircraft delivery rates, Clearwater, Fla.-based Avantair is watching its fleet of 53 Avantis and Avanti IIs grow as quickly as Italian manufacturer Piaggio can deliver them, with six more due before year-end.
June 17, 2009 - 10:00am
Piaggio Aero has signed an memorandum of understanding with Sabena Technics that sets the framework for a contract to paint part of its P.180 Avanti twin business turboprop aircraft.
Under the terms of the proposed contract, Sabena would carry out painting services on new aircraft that roll out of Piaggio Aero’s facilities in Genoa, Italy. Sabena expects to start painting its first livery by the end of next month.
June 14, 2009 - 9:09am
Piaggio has received three firm orders for the P.180 Avanti II twin turboprop–two from the United Arab Emirates military and another from Susi Air in Indonesia. The UAE air force will use its Avanti IIs for transportation of specialized staff and medical evacuation. An ambulance kit enables quick reconfiguration. The aircraft come with a complete integrated logistics support package, including training for pilots and maintenance technicians.
June 2, 2009 - 6:32am
Clearwater, Fla.-based fractional provider Avantair reported another quarter of positive EBITA profits in a difficult economic environment, putting the Piaggio Avanti fleet operator on the path to health after years of losses. In its fiscal third quarter, which ended March 31, the company saw year-over-year revenues climb 15.7 percent to $34.7 million.
May 10, 2009 - 5:32am
Piaggio Aero Industries’ new management team is still refusing to go public on long-rumored plans that it will launch a new jet program. At the same time, the Italian manufacturer has reported that production rates for the existing P.180 Avanti II twin pusherprop are holding up well in soft market conditions.
December 30, 2008 - 4:07am
Avantair on December 15 took delivery of its 50th Piaggio Avanti turboprop twin–in line, it said, with Avantair’s steady fleet expansion since it was started in July 2003. At present, Avantair operates the youngest fleet in the fractional aircraft industry, at approximately 3.7 years, according to the JetNet Fractional Ownership and Aircraft Report.
December 30, 2008 - 4:06am
Piaggio Avanti fractional provider Avantair said it logged a record number of flights during the Thanksgiving holiday (November 25 to 30), “in sharp contrast to the overall slowdown in demand experienced by major U.S.
October 27, 2008 - 12:05pm
Tata Ltd., a UK-based subsidiary of India’s Tata Sons, has agreed to take a one-third share of Italy’s Piaggio Aero Industries, manufacturer of the Avanti II turboprop twin. The proposed investment by Tata Ltd., which was expected to receive regulatory and other approvals last month, includes the purchase of existing shares from current shareholders and a new share offering.
October 5, 2008 - 3:42pm
Elbit Systems of America’s (Booth No. 3113) Kollsman general aviation vision system (GAViS)–a head-down enhanced-vision system–is undergoing installation and certification on both the Piaggio Avanti II turboprop twin and Sikorsky S-76 helicopter. GAViS houses an infrared sensor in a single, aerodynamic line-replaceable unit, which allows for easy installation on an aircraft’s exterior.
