This article is based on an official press release from Piaggio Aerospace and additional industry data provided in the source material.

Piaggio Aerospace Expands North American Support Network with IJSC Designation

In a significant move to strengthen its foothold in the North American market, Piaggio Aerospace has officially designated Intercontinental Jet Service Corp (IJSC) as an authorized service center. Announced on January 28, 2026, this agreement marks the first major expansion of the manufacturer’s service network in the region following its acquisition by the Turkish defense firm Baykar in July 2025.

The partnership formalizes a long-standing relationship between the Italian aircraft manufacturer and the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based maintenance provider. According to the company’s announcement, the agreement focuses on providing comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for the P.180 Avanti series, the manufacturer’s flagship turboprop aircraft. This development is a critical component of Piaggio’s broader strategy to restore customer confidence and stabilize its global support infrastructure.

With approximately 50% of the active P.180 Avanti fleet operating in North America, the designation of a central, high-capacity service hub addresses a vital need for operators. The move signals that the manufacturer is transitioning from a period of financial restructuring into an active growth phase, aiming to support both legacy aircraft and future models.

Strategic Revitalization Under New Ownership

This service center designation is not an isolated event but part of a comprehensive “comeback” strategy orchestrated under Piaggio Aerospace’s new ownership. Following years of “extraordinary administration,” the company was acquired by Baykar in mid-2025. Since then, the focus has shifted toward ramping up production and modernizing the fleet.

According to industry data, the manufacturer plans to increase production of the P.180 from a low of 4–5 units annually to a target of 25–30 units per year. Additionally, the company is preparing for the launch of the “Avanti Next,” an updated iteration of the aircraft expected to feature modernized avionics and improved systems. However, executives acknowledge that selling new aircraft requires a robust support network for existing owners.

In the official press release, Piaggio Aerospace CEO Giovanni Tomassini emphasized the forward-looking nature of the agreement:

“This is only the first step of many to enhance both the aircraft and the after-sales service.”

, Giovanni Tomassini, CEO of Piaggio Aerospace

Advertisement

The Role of Intercontinental Jet Service Corp

Intercontinental Jet Service Corp (IJSC) brings substantial infrastructure and experience to the partnership. Located at Tulsa International Airport (KTUL), IJSC operates a facility spanning over 56,000 square feet, including hangar, shop, and office space. The company is already well-regarded in the turboprop market, holding authorizations for Mitsubishi MU-2 aircraft and Honeywell TPE331 engines.

While the “authorized” designation is new, IJSC’s experience with the P.180 is not. The MRO provider has maintained a relationship with Piaggio for over a decade, servicing the airframe prior to this formal agreement. Their capabilities as a “one-stop-shop”, covering airframe, engines, propellers, and avionics, position them to provide immediate relief to the North American fleet.

AirPro News analysis

The designation of IJSC is a calculated signal to the business aviation market that Piaggio Aerospace is solvent and “open for business.” For years, financial uncertainty surrounding the manufacturer created hesitation among potential buyers and frustration among existing owners regarding parts availability. By formalizing a partnership with a well-established US-based MRO, Piaggio is directly addressing the “service gap” that often plagues niche manufacturers.

Furthermore, the choice of a central location like Tulsa suggests a logistical strategy to serve operators from both coasts efficiently. If the “Avanti Next” is to succeed in the competitive 2026 market, prospective buyers will need assurance that they will not be left stranded without support. This agreement serves as that assurance, laying the groundwork for the sales push of the modernized airframe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the P.180 Avanti?
The P.180 Avanti is a twin-engine turboprop known for its unique three-lifting-surface configuration and pusher propellers. It is widely cited as the fastest turboprop in the world, offering jet-like speeds with significantly higher fuel efficiency.

Who owns Piaggio Aerospace?
As of July 2025, Piaggio Aerospace is owned by Baykar, a prominent Turkish defense company best known for its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Will there be more service centers?
The press release indicates that this agreement is the “first step,” implying that further expansions to the service network in North America and other regions are likely as the company ramps up operations.

Sources

• Piaggio Aerospace Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from Safran Group.

Safran Expands Moroccan Footprint with €280 Million Landing Gear Facility

Safran Landing Systems has officially signed an agreement with the Moroccan government to construct a new manufacturing and maintenance facility in Nouaceur, near Casablanca. The signing ceremony, held on Friday, February 13, 2026, was presided over by King Mohammed VI, underscoring the strategic importance of the aerospace sector to the nation’s industrial roadmap.

According to the official press release from Safran Group, the new site represents an investment of approximately €280 million (over 3 billion MAD). The facility will focus primarily on the production, assembly, and maintenance of landing gear systems for the Airbus A320 family, the workhorse of the global narrow-body fleet. This expansion is expected to create 500 direct jobs, further solidifying Morocco’s position within the global aerospace supply chain.

The plant will be located in the Midparc Aerospace Industrial Zone, a specialized cluster that already hosts numerous international aviation companies. In alignment with Safran’s global sustainability goals, the company stated that the new facility will operate on 100% decarbonized energy.

Operational Capabilities and Strategic Focus

The new Nouaceur facility is designed to be one of Safran’s most significant landing gear production centers worldwide. It will integrate a comprehensive range of high-value industrial processes under one roof. These operations include the high-precision machining of landing gear components, the advanced assembly of complete systems, and dedicated maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services.

By localizing these capabilities, Safran aims to support the ramping production rates of the Airbus A320 while enhancing its service offerings for airline operators. The site will also feature on-site testing capabilities to ensure all components meet rigorous international aviation standards before delivery.

Ross McInnes, Chairman of Safran, highlighted the scale and ambition of the project during the announcement:

“This factory will be one of the largest in the world for landing gear and equipment. It will enable us to support the high production rates of the Airbus A320 and prepare for future generations of aircraft.”

Strengthening the Moroccan Aerospace Ecosystem

Safran has maintained a presence in Morocco for over 25 years, currently employing nearly 4,700 people across various subsidiaries and joint ventures. This new agreement follows closely on the heels of a separate major investment announced in October 2025, involving a maintenance facility for LEAP engines. However, the company clarified that this landing gear plant is a distinct project focused specifically on airframe systems rather than propulsion.

Ryad Mezzour, Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, emphasized that the project reflects the country’s growing technical maturity:

“This project demonstrates Morocco’s mastery of complex technologies and its successful integration into the global aerospace value chain. Thanks to the Royal Vision, Morocco has become a global aerospace platform over the last 20 years.”

AirPro News analysis

The decision to place a critical node of the A320 supply chain in Nouaceur reflects a broader industry trend toward “nearshoring” manufacturing closer to European final assembly lines. For Safran, expanding in Morocco offers a dual advantage: access to a skilled, cost-competitive workforce and significant logistical proximity to Airbus assembly facilities in Toulouse and Hamburg.

Furthermore, the inclusion of MRO capabilities at the new site suggests a long-term strategy to capture the aftermarket value of the growing fleet of aircraft operating in Africa and the Middle East. By combining production and maintenance, Safran reduces turnaround times and logistics costs, making the Midparc zone an increasingly vital hub for the EMEA region.

Sources

• Safran Group
• Reuters
• Morocco World News

This article is based on an official press release from Howmet Aerospace.

Howmet Aerospace Posts Record 2025 Results, Announces $1.8 Billion Acquisitions

Howmet Aerospace (NYSE: HWM) has reported record-breaking financial results for both the fourth quarter and the full fiscal year of 2025, driven by a robust recovery in the commercial aerospace sector and surging demand in defense markets. According to the company’s official release, full-year revenue climbed 11% year-over-year to $8.3 billion, while profitability metrics saw significant expansion.

The Pittsburgh-based engineered metal products manufacturers also revealed a major strategic expansion, announcing a definitive agreement to acquire Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing, LLC (CAM) for approximately $1.8 billion. This move is expected to bolster Howmet’s fastening systems portfolio as the industry enters what many analysts describe as an aerospace supercycle.

In a statement regarding the company’s performance, Executive Chairman and CEO John Plant highlighted the operational discipline that led to record margins.

“The Howmet team delivered an exceptional quarter to cap a strong 2025… Adjusted EBITDA margin increased approximately 330 basis points to 30.1%, a record.”

, John Plant, Executive Chairman and CEO

Financial Highlights: Q4 and Full Year 2025

Howmet’s financial report outlines substantial growth across key metrics, reflecting strong pricing power and volume increases. For the fourth quarter of 2025, the company reported revenue of $2.2 billion, a 15% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Net income for the quarter rose to $372 million ($0.92 per share), up from $314 million ($0.77 per share) the previous year.

Full Year Performance

For the full fiscal year 2025, Howmet achieved:

• Revenue: $8.3 billion (up 11% year-over-year).
• Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS): $3.77, a 40% increase from the prior year.
• Adjusted EBITDA: $2.4 billion, representing a 26% year-over-year jump.
• Operating Cash Flow: A record $1.9 billion.

The company noted that free cash flow reached $1.43 billion, demonstrating a 93% conversion rate of net income, which supported aggressive capital deployment strategy throughout the year.

Segment Performance Breakdown

Growth was broad-based across Howmet’s four business segments, with the Engine Products division leading the charge. According to the earnings report, the Engine Products segment generated $1.16 billion in revenue, a 20% increase year-over-year. This surge was driven by high demand for engine spares and components across both commercial and defense sectors.

The Fastening Systems segment also saw double-digit growth, reporting $454 million in revenue (up 13%), aided by the ongoing recovery in commercial aerospace build rates. Engineered Structures grew 4% to $287 million, benefiting primarily from defense aerospace markets, while Forged Wheels revenue increased 9% to $264 million despite headwinds in the commercial transportation sector.

Strategic Capital Deployment and M&A

Alongside its earnings, Howmet detailed significant capital allocation activities. The company repurchased $700 million of common stock during the fiscal year and reduced its debt by $265 million, achieving a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 1.0x.

The headline strategic development is the agreement to acquire Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing (CAM). Expected to close in the first half of 2026, this $1.8 billion acquisition is designed to deepen Howmet’s reach in the fasteners market. Additionally, the company completed the “bolt-on” acquisition of Brunner Manufacturing Co. to expand its engineered products capabilities.

“Healthy cash generation supported significant capital deployment… In full year 2025, Howmet repurchased a record $700 million of common stock.”

, John Plant, Executive Chairman and CEO

2026 Outlook and Guidance

Looking ahead, Howmet management issued optimistic guidance for fiscal year 2026, projecting continued double-digit growth. The company forecasts revenue between $9.0 billion and $9.2 billion. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to range from $2.71 billion to $2.81 billion, with Adjusted EPS projected between $4.35 and $4.55.

AirPro News Analysis

The results from Howmet Aerospace underscore the durability of the current aerospace upcycle. While supply chain constraints have plagued airframers like Boeing and Airbus, suppliers with strong pricing power and aftermarket exposure, like Howmet, are capitalizing on the demand for spare parts and maintenance. The 32% growth in the Gas Turbines sub-segment also points to a secondary tailwind: rising electricity demand from data centers, which is driving orders for industrial gas turbines.

Furthermore, the 20% jump in defense revenue aligns with global trends of increased defense budgets and restocking cycles. By acquiring CAM, Howmet appears to be positioning itself to capture more value per aircraft as production rates eventually stabilize and increase.

Sources: Howmet Aerospace Press Release