The 2022 financial year was a successful one for Pilatus, according to the OEM. The company benefitted from high demand, despite the economically unpredictable period. With sales of 1.3 billion Swiss francs, operating income of 226 million Swiss francs and orders worth 1.6 billion Swiss francs, Pilatus achieved positive results.

The firm improved on a successful performance in 2021. Forty PC-24s, 80 PC-12 NGXs, 10 PC-21s and three PC-6s were delivered in 2022. In the general aviation business unit, a purchase agreement for more than 20 PC-12 NGXs was signed with the US company Tradewind Aviation, virtually doubling this business operator's fleet.

2022 also brought its share of major challenges. Pilatus had to contend with disruptions to supply chains, which impacted negatively on production operations.

CEO Markus Bucher reflects on a positive 12 months: “Rarely has the company had to operate in such a geopolitically unpredictable period. Never before have we encountered such serious supply chain difficulties. Pilatus has achieved a lot while also benefitting from exceptionally high demand for our unique aircraft."

Chairman of the board Hansueli Loosli adds: “I'm very happy with the year-end results, and the Pilatus team performed very well. Our PC-12 NGXs and PC-24s were and are absolute bestsellers, and our order books are full. No new orders for trainer aircraft were signed last year, but the demand is there in government aviation as well, and we receive a high volume of enquiries. I'm very confident that we will reel in an order soon.”

Aircraft deliveries account for a substantial share of the business results, but the customer service business continues to grow as well by around 10 percent over the past year. Last year also saw Pilatus acquire Skytech, a US sales and service centre, gaining another 93 full-time employees. Skytech will continue to sell and service PC-24s and PC-12s on an independent basis along the Eastern Seaboard.

Breaking with the tradition of the past 25 years, Pilatus' 2,300 employees at the headquarters in Stans, Switzerland will no longer receive a bonus payment. In return, Pilatus will raise monthly salaries by incorporating the maximum bonus payout in order to better meet the expectations of all employees. This change will make Pilatus even more attractive as an employer.

The new year has also got off to a confident start and promises many highlights: the construction of the maintenance hangar in Buochs will start by mid-2023. And delivery of the 2,000th PC-12 and 200th PC-24 will go ahead during the current year. An additional building for the production of composite components is also planned at the Ennetbürgen site, further proof that Pilatus remains firmly committed to Switzerland as a centre for ideas, work and training.