Stans, SwitzerlandPilatus reports successful 2024 despite ongoing challenges |
Pilatus' Annual Report 2024, published this week, highlights 153 aircraft deliveries, total sales of CHF 1.633bn - an increase of more than 10% compared to 2023 - EBIT of CHF 243m and orders worth CHF 2.193bn.
Aircraft sales breakdown to 96 PC-12 NGXs, 51 PC-24s and 6 PC-21s.
In Government Aviation, Pilatus signed an important contract for 19 PC-21s and associated simulators with the Royal Canadian Air Force. In early February, the Netherlands also opted to buy eight PC-7 MKXs, thereby underlining the importance of this advanced Basic Trainer.
In Business Aviation, the improved PC-24 Super Versatile Jet with extended payload and range enjoyed a successful market launch. Meanwhile, the PC-12, became the most flown business aircraft in the USA over a one-year period.
Hansueli Loosli, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pilatus, described the past year as very positive overall: “Despite the challenges, we achieved important milestones in 2024, with yet more portfolio development. 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.”
Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus, added: “Innovation, quality and precision are the driving forces behind our actions: Pilatus continues to grow, with over 3,000 full-time employees worldwide for the first time ever. Employees from 63 nations now contribute to the company’s success. Never before have so many apprentices been taken on as permanent employees. Improved terms of employment and a study which ranks Pilatus as the ninth best employer among 800 companies across Switzerland underline our attractiveness.”
Focus on sustainability
The newly established Corporate Sustainability department drafted the company’s Sustainability Strategy 2.0, aimed at creating structures for innovation. Pilatus is committed to integrating sustainability within its processes and to focusing on new technologies, including an investment in Synhelion, an ETH spin-off which uses solar energy to produce CO₂-neutral jet fuel.
New builds and renovation projects adhere to international sustainability standards - the new Maintenance Hall at Buochs Airport is a good example, as is the Composites Competence Center currently under construction in Ennetbürgen.
Despite these successes, Pilatus was again confronted with supplier-related delivery delays and quality problems, which impaired production processes. Pilatus is aiming to achieve greater vertical integration, and has invested in a new facility, Pilatus Aircraft Ibérica SA in Seville, which will commence operations in the first quarter.
Pilatus also acquired the maintenance and sales activities, as well as 40 employees, from Aero Center Epps in Atlanta. The planned sales and service center in Bradenton, Florida, will reinforce Pilatus’ presence on the US East Coast, enabling on-site contact with customers and greater ability to ensure the quality of services provided.
BlueSky Business Aviation News | 20th February 2025 | Issue #784
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