Piaggio Aerospace yesterday signed two contracts during the Paris Air Show to supply the new-generation Avanti Evo twin-turboprop. Both customers are in the air charter business, one in the UK and the other in Malaysia.

On Wednesday Zenith Aviation signed an order for an Avanti Evo that is due for delivery in October, and also optioned another seven of the aircraft. Established in September 2013, Zenith is based at London Biggin Hill Airport and operates Bombardier Learjet 45s and Challengers on charter services. As well as ordering the Evo, the company is in the process of acquiring a Cessna Citation XLS.

On Tuesday Piaggio (Static A6) signed a deal to supply an Avanti Evo to Rozmey Air, the second Malaysian customer for the type. The company was established earlier this year to begin charter operations, with the aircraft to be based in the north of the country at Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Alor Setar. Delivery is due before the end of the year.

Seating up to nine passengers in the roomy cabin, the Avanti Evo offers a 460-mph cruise. The latest iteration of the eye-catching Italian aircraft has a much quieter cabin than earlier versions, and can maintain sea level cabin pressure to 24,000 feet. Even at the service ceiling of 41,000 feet, cabin pressure is maintained at an equivalent of just 6,600 feet.