Turkish-owned Piaggio secures 1st order for new jet

Italian aircraft manufacturer Piaggio Aerospace, whose parent company is Türkiye’s Baykar, secured its first order for its next-generation P.180 Avanti NX jet.

An unnamed European operator signed a deal to buy two units of the newly upgraded aircraft, which was launched at the Aero Friedrichshafen 2026 event in Germany.

˜The aircraft will feature specialized stretcher modules, allowing it to be configured for air ambulance and medical evacuation missions.

This launch order marked a milestone for Piaggio Aerospace, which has been looking to reassert its position in the global aerospace sector.

Giovanni Tomassini, CEO of Piaggio Aerospace, said that the company’s return to Aero Friedrichshafen after a long hiatus with a deal shows that it has made a strong comeback to the aviation market with Baykar’s support.

The order also coincided with the 40th anniversary of the original P.180 model’s first flight.

The new Avanti NX builds on the original’s distinctive aerodynamic design, combining jet-class speeds with the fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions of a turboprop.

The upgraded model has a revamped internal system, cabin design, and overall reliability.

With Baykar’s backing, Piaggio Aerospace aims to scale up manufacturing in the coming years, targeting an eventual annual production rate of up to 30 units, the company said.

*Writing by Emir Yildirim in Istanbul