- News
- Sep 4, 2024
- 4 min read
Pilatus Prepares for Major Florida Expansion
An initial maintenance and sales center is scheduled to open at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in 2026, with an aircraft assembly plant planned for a later stage.
Pilatus Aircraft is significantly expanding its U.S. presence under an agreement to establish a flagship sales and service center at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ) in Florida. Long-term plans also include establishing an aircraft assembly plant at the site. Under the announced agreement, Pilatus will develop 17 acres on the north side of the airport, giving it a base in the southeastern U.S. and expanding its presence in both North and South America.
Scheduled to open in mid-2026, the initial plans for the facility include 54,000 sq. ft. dedicated to maintenance, spare parts distribution and new aircraft deliveries, as well as 17,000 sq. ft. of workshop, office and administrative space. The customer service center is initially expected to employ more than 50 people to manage the sales, service, engineering and delivery of Pilatus aircraft in the Southeast.
However, the plans also provide for the possible development of a final assembly facility for aircraft intended for customers in North and South America. This would increase the number of jobs at the site to 300, Pilatus added.
“We are delighted to take this significant step forward in providing our customers with an exceptional aircraft ownership experience,” said Thomas Bosshard, president and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft.
Justin Lazzeri, CEO of Pilatus’s U.S. East Coast sales and service center, added: “Our new Bradenton facility will be a showcase for Pilatus-class sales and service, as well as a flagship location that will serve as a model for our global network of authorized Pilatus sales and service centers.”
According to KSRQ president and CEO Rick Piccolo, the plans involve an investment of “tens of millions of dollars” in facility development. “This agreement marks an important milestone in the economic development not only of the airport, but also of the region.”
Pilatus noted that Florida and the U.S. East Coast account for the highest concentration of Pilatus aircraft operations, sales and service worldwide, with more than 6,200 flights conducted in Florida alone in 2022. The OEM added that the development is part of its strategy to increase support for its growing fleet of more than 2,250 Pilatus aircraft already based in North and South America.
The knowledge gained regarding facility design and customer service best practices will be shared across authorized Pilatus sales and service centers to ensure consistent service worldwide.
Pilatus Aircraft is significantly expanding its U.S. presence under an agreement to establish a flagship sales and service center at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ) in Florida. Long-term plans also include establishing an aircraft assembly plant at the site. Under the announced agreement, Pilatus will develop 17 acres on the north side of the airport, giving it a base in the southeastern U.S. and expanding its presence in both North and South America.
Scheduled to open in mid-2026, the initial plans for the facility include 54,000 sq. ft. dedicated to maintenance, spare parts distribution and new aircraft deliveries, as well as 17,000 sq. ft. of workshop, office and administrative space. The customer service center is initially expected to employ more than 50 people to manage the sales, service, engineering and delivery of Pilatus aircraft in the Southeast.
However, the plans also provide for the possible development of a final assembly facility for aircraft intended for customers in North and South America. This would increase the number of jobs at the site to 300, Pilatus added.
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“We are delighted to take this significant step forward in providing our customers with an exceptional aircraft ownership experience,” said Thomas Bosshard, president and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft.
Justin Lazzeri, CEO of Pilatus’s U.S. East Coast sales and service center, added: “Our new Bradenton facility will be a showcase for Pilatus-class sales and service, as well as a flagship location that will serve as a model for our global network of authorized Pilatus sales and service centers.”
According to KSRQ president and CEO Rick Piccolo, the plans involve an investment of “tens of millions of dollars” in facility development. “This agreement marks an important milestone in the economic development not only of the airport, but also of the region.”
Pilatus noted that Florida and the U.S. East Coast account for the highest concentration of Pilatus aircraft operations, sales and service worldwide, with more than 6,200 flights conducted in Florida alone in 2022. The OEM added that the development is part of its strategy to increase support for its growing fleet of more than 2,250 Pilatus aircraft already based in North and South America.
The knowledge gained regarding facility design and customer service best practices will be shared across authorized Pilatus sales and service centers to ensure consistent service worldwide.
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