With a small increase in the number of aircraft delivered last year, Pilatus Aircraft's revenues surged 10.5% to CHF 1.63 billion ($1.8 billion). Reporting year-end results today, the Swiss aircraft manufacturer said its profits grew by 1.3%, while new orders soared by 44.9% to CHF 2.19 billion.

Last year, Pilatus delivered 153 airplanes—96 PC-12 NGX turboprop singles, 51 PC-24 twinjets, and six PC-21 military trainers. This compared with 148 aircraft handed over in 2023—101 PC-12s and 47 PC-24s.

The order backlog at Pilatus is 25.5% above the start of last year, with a combined value of CHF 2.92 billion as of December 31. This consists of growing orders for both the PC-12 and PC-24, as well as orders for 19 PC-21s from the Royal Canadian Air Force and a contract with the Dutch government for eight PC-7 MKX basic trainers.

In its annual report, the Pilatus leadership team acknowledged increased supply-chain challenges caused by “all too frequent delays” in receiving parts. This has prompted the company to invest in a strategy of insourcing manufacturing.

Fixing Supply-chain Challenges

The company is in the process of acquiring Swiss-based Ruag Aerostructures with 230 staff and extensive machinery and production expertise. It is also establishing manufacturing capability in Spain through its newly established Pilatus Aircraft Ibérica subsidiary in Seville.

To boost product support in the U.S., Pilatus is adding a sales and service center at Florida's Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ). It also acquired the Aero Center Atlanta facility.

“Despite the challenges, we achieved important milestones in 2024, with yet more portfolio development,” said Pilatus chairman Hansueli Loosli. “We are pursuing targeted investment in our infrastructure and sustainability, and we continue to improve the terms of employment we offer our staff, whom we regard as our most important resource of all.”

Pilatus now employs 3,326 people worldwide, and just more than 55% of these are directly involved in production. Some 140 apprentices are included in the payroll, with 87.4% of all staff based in Switzerland.

The company’s sustainability strategy includes an investment in a company called Synhelion, which is using solar energy to produce carbon-neutral jet fuel. It is also investing in facilities with lower-carbon footprints, including its maintenance center at Buochs Airport (LSZC) in Switzerland and a composites manufacturing plant in Ennetbürgen.