The 2021 financial year was extremely successful for Pilatus, but also challenging. Despite the difficult circumstances, a new production record of 152 aircraft deliveries was set. Sales of 1.3 billion Swiss francs, an operating result of 210 million and incoming orders worth 1.7 billion francs are a very good result. The board of directors also underwent a change and a reinforcement.

Pilatus achieved growth in sales of 19 per cent and a 35 per cent higher operating result compared to the previous year. The total number of aircraft delivered is impressive: 45 PC-24s, 88 PC-12 NGXs, 17 PC-21s and 2 PC-6s, amounting to 152 aircraft all in all.

There was a boom in the general aviation markets, which greatly benefited the PC-12 NGX and PC-24. And in the government aviation business unit, Pilatus succeeded in concluding a follow-up order with France for nine PC-21s. Another highlight was the successful presentation of the PC-7 MKX, the brand-new smart basic trainer for military pilot training.

But Pilatus did have to contend with some turbulence: disruptions to supply chains and supply bottlenecks had a negative impact on production. The efficiency of its work processes suffered, resulting in higher costs.

CEO Markus Bucher says: “Thanks to a great deal of hard work and flexibility, we achieved a very good result of which the entire crew may be justifiably proud. Demand for our products and services has rarely been so high. Meeting customer expectations despite unreliable supply chains and continuing deglobalisation will, however, ensure our work remains challenging.”

Once again, the more than 2,100 employees at the OEM's head office in Stans, Switzerland have each received a share in the company's profits equivalent to around one and a half month's salary. Pilatus has also taken various measures to further enhance its attractiveness as an employer and win the most talented candidates for its future projects.

Dominik Burkart and Annette Rinck were re-elected and newly elected onto the board of directors. Burkart served as a member of the board of directors from 2014 to 2021 and will now represent the shareholder side, while newly elected Rinck is currently president and CEO of Leica Microsystems. Rinck has over 20 years' experience in global industrial companies. She has worked at Honeywell for the past seven years, most recently as general manager, global brands, and in its building management systems division. She has a PhD in business administration/strategic marketing.

Gratian Anda, who has served as vice chairman of the board of directors since 2006, did not stand for re-election. He will remain closely connected with Pilatus as a shareholder. Pilatus thanks him for his constant support and many years of service as vice chairman. Lukas Gähwiler, previously a member of the board of directors, has been elected to replace him as the new vice chairman.

The Pilatus board of directors is now composed of chairman Hansueli Loosli, vice chairman Lukas Gähwiler, and members Martin P Furrer, Mario Rossi, Dominik Burkart and Annette Rinck.

Loosli says: “We will see further turbulence in 2022. But we have got off to a good start, and we look to the future with confidence. Pilatus has a unique product range and quite simply the best products in their respective niches. We also have a good order book, which provides us with a solid foundation. The reinforced board of directors, together with the entire Pilatus team, will do all we can to fly Pilatus into a promising future.”