PILATUS OPENS FOR BUSINESS IN CHINA

08 Aug 2013

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Swiss manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft has started a joint venture with a Chinese company to sell turboprop singles to China's burgeoning general aviation sector. A first contract for 50 aircraft has already been signed.

Chinese airspace is gradually opening up and the Chinese aviation authority (CAAC) expects growth of 10%+ annually in its aviation industry over the next few years.

Oscar Schwenk, Chairman of Pilatus Aircraft, said, "The PC-12 and Pilatus Porter PC-6 are optimum aircraft for this booming market. We are confident our products have great potential. China has many small airfields with short runways - our aircraft are ideal for operating in and out of them."

Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, added, "We believe that a partnership with a local sales partner is the key to success."

The joint venture partner is TXJY – Beijing Tian Xing Jian Yu Science Co. Pilatus says the newly created company will not impact negatively on production operations in Switzerland.

"On the contrary, production in Switzerland will be reinforced by the anticipated sale of aircraft to China," said Pilatus. "Over 275 new jobs have been created at the head office in Stans in the past two years, and further recruitment is planned in the future."

Pilatus Aircraft Industry (China) Co., will provide a production platform for aircraft components for the PC-6 and PC-12 only, both civilian aircraft. The company will not be involved in the production of components for military training aircraft (PC-21, PC-9 M and PC-7 MkII).

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