Following its acquisition by Baykar, Piaggio Aerospace has entered a restructuring phase and is preparing to increase its aircraft production capacity five- to six-fold through new investments. Annual production of the P180 Avanti will be raised to 25–30 aircraft, while the “Avanti Next” model will be developed through comprehensive modernisation.
Entering a new phase of growth after joining the Baykar group, Piaggio Aerospace has set ambitious targets in both civil aviation and defence. Haluk Bayraktar, Chairman of the Board of Piaggio Aerospace and CEO of Baykar, shared comprehensive statements regarding the company’s future vision.
Emphasising that Piaggio, one of the emblematic brands of the Italian aviation industry with a 140-year history, holds strategic value for Baykar, Bayraktar said: “This heritage is extremely valuable for Baykar. Combining our technologies with Piaggio offers unique potential to bring together the strengths of Türkiye and Italy in the same melting pot.”
P180 Avanti Production to Increase to 25–30 Aircraft
Noting that P180 Avanti aircraft production continues at Piaggio facilities alongside engine component manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul activities, Bayraktar shared the following information on production capacity:
“Today, approximately 4–5 aircraft are produced annually. However, with our existing facilities, infrastructure and supply chain support, we can comfortably increase this capacity to 25 to 30 aircraft per year. As Baykar, our vision is to revitalise these operations and return Piaggio strongly to the market.”
Recalling that more than 250 P180 Avantis have been produced to date, Bayraktar underlined the aircraft’s reliability by noting that 220 aircraft are currently active, with total flight hours exceeding 1.1 million.
The “Avanti Next” Era with Comprehensive Updates
Baykar’s goal is to update the P180 not only in terms of production but also in technology and comfort. Within this scope, comprehensive upgrades will be implemented, including:
- Transition to Garmin avionics systems
- Cockpit and cabin modernisation
- New satellite communications technologies
- Digital cabin pressurisation and environmental control systems
- Extended maintenance and inspection intervals
Bayraktar announced that the new version resulting from these efforts will be launched on the market under the name “Avanti Next”.
US Market a Priority: Service and Logistics Investments Increase
Emphasising that a significant portion of the P180 fleet operates in the United States, Bayraktar said that special importance is being placed on strengthening service and customer support services.
“Of the more than 220 active aircraft, around 100 are flying in the US. For this reason, maintenance, repair and overhaul services are of critical importance. We are increasing authorised service and repair centre agreements to strengthen our presence in the US.”
Bayraktar noted that an authorised service centre agreement has been signed with Interjet Continental Aerospace and also announced plans to establish a logistics centre in the US. This will significantly shorten spare parts access and service times.
A New Phase in UAV Production and Engine Capabilities
Stating that Piaggio’s expertise in civil aviation is being combined with Baykar’s agile engineering approach, Bayraktar said that work is also underway to produce unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at Piaggio facilities.
Within the scope of the ongoing joint venture with Leonardo, the aim is to localise UAV production in Italy to meet the needs of the European market.
Additionally, Bayraktar announced that engine maintenance and repair activities carried out within Piaggio will be expanded, noting that investments in machinery, equipment and production for new engine types will be implemented within this year.
“The US is the leading market in civil aviation. We listen to P180 users, and their passion for this aircraft motivates us. Making our US operations much stronger is one of our top priorities.”
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