In a ceremony today at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), Pilatus executives and Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority officials signed a leasing agreement to develop 17 acres on the north side of the airport for Pilatus to construct a new state-of-the-art sales and service facility. The new Customer Center will initially employ more than 40 people to manage aircraft sales, service, design and delivery of Pilatus aircraft in the Southeastern United States. The U.S. is Pilatus’ largest market for its business aircraft, and the investment is being made to ensure a world-class ownership experience for its customers.
The initial development will include 54,000 square feet dedicated to maintenance activity, spare parts distribution and new aircraft deliveries, and an additional 17,000 square feet of workshops, office and administrative space. The facility is expected to be operational by mid-2026. Future growth plans for Pilatus’ location at SRQ include final assembly for aircraft delivering to North and South America, and may ultimately employ up to 300 people.
The construction of Pilatus’ new SRQ facility, located in Manatee County, is part of a larger company strategy to support the growing fleet of more than 2,250 Pilatus aircraft already based in North and South America. It follows on the heels of Pilatus’ 2023 acquisition of East Coast based Skytech, Inc., and the expansion of factory-owned sales and service operations in the surrounding Gulf states and Eastern seaboard. The design of the facility and customer experience best practices will be shared with the global network of independent Pilatus Authorized Sales and Service Centers so that a consistent, seamless, and exceptional ownership experience is realized by owners and operators of Pilatus aircraft.
In 2023, Pilatus delivered 103 PC-12 NGX turboprops, making it the most popular turbine-powered business aircraft in the world. It also delivered 47 PC-24 jets to a wide range of global operators ranging from public and private corporations to air ambulance services and fractional and charter providers.
Thomas Bosshard, President and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd was present for the formal signing ceremony, and said, “We are very excited to take this significant growth step to support our customers with an outstanding ownership experience. This new facility in Florida will be a showcase for Pilatus Class sales and service, and will be a flagship store that will serve as a model for our global network of authorized sales and service centers.”
Florida and the U.S. East Coast represent the highest concentration of Pilatus aircraft operations, sales and service activity in the world. In 2022, more than 6,200 Pilatus flight operations were conducted in the state of Florida alone.
Rick Piccolo, President and CEO of the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, stated, “The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is thrilled to partner with Pilatus. This agreement marks a significant milestone in the economic development not only of the airport but also the region. Over the next five years, Pilatus will not only sell and maintain their exceptional aircraft, but they also plan to assemble them at SRQ. This endeavor involves a substantial investment of tens of millions of dollars in facility development, which will result in the creation of over 300 skilled positions, offering lucrative opportunities and making a significant economic impact. Given the previously announced commitment by Manatee Technical College to build an Airframe & Powerplant school on the airport, this agreement will provide local employment opportunities for those graduates right here in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. Pilatus has expressed admiration for the airport’s planned Aviation Ecosystem, which includes education and training facilities. The airport extends its gratitude to the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation for their multi-year effort in attracting Pilatus, as well as to the Manatee County Commissioners for their unwavering support throughout this endeavor.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Pilatus to SRQ and Manatee County!” said Sharon Hillstrom, president and CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. “The aviation ecosystem we offer in the Bradenton Area on Florida’s west coast is one-of-a-kind. Working with the team at SRQ, we provide a world-class location for companies like Pilatus that are bringing capital investment and jobs to our community.
