2024 was a very successful year for Pilatus. Despite ongoing challenges, it was able to hand over 153 aircraft to its customers thanks to continued high demand. With total sales of 1.633 billion Swiss francs, EBIT of 243 million Swiss francs and orders worth 2.193 billion Swiss francs, the company reported a very good set of results last year.

The industry achieved an increase in sales of more than ten percent compared to 2023, which was already a very successful year. The total number of aircraft sold is impressive, too: 96 PC-12 NGXs, 51 PC-24s and 6 PC-21s.

In Government Aviation, the firm 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 “World’s Greatest Single”, the PC-12, became the most flown business aircraft in the USA over a one-year period.

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, the industry was again confronted with supplier-related delivery delays and quality problems, which impaired production processes. It 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. The company 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.