Piaggio Aerospace Marks 40 Years and 40 Avanti EVO Sales

On September 22, 2026, Italian manufacturer Piaggio Aerospace announced a dual milestone, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the P.180 Avanti’s maiden flight alongside surpassing 40 sales of its latest Avanti EVO variant. The announcement marks a period of stabilization for the Villanova d’Albenga-based company following its 2025 acquisition by Turkish aerospace firm Baykar.

In a press release, Piaggio Aerospace, now operating as Baykar Piaggio Aerospace S.p.A., highlighted the enduring legacy of the twin-turboprop aircraft. The original P.180 Avanti first flew in September 1986. The company noted that the fundamental design has remained consistent, describing the longevity as a testament to the aerodynamic excellence of the original concept.

Production targets and recent sales

Piaggio Aerospace has set a target to reach an annual production rate of 30 aircraft over the coming years. This production goal follows a period of renewed investment and restructuring under Baykar, which formally acquired the company on June 30, 2025, ending nearly seven years of extraordinary administration.

The milestone announcement follows a September 18, 2026, confirmation that Piaggio sold two P.180 Avanti EVOs to an unnamed Turkish operator. The aircraft will augment the operator’s existing business jet and helicopter fleet.

Piaggio Aerospace Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cristian Toninelli stated that the agreement represents an important step for the company and the P.180 Avanti EVO program.

“We are pleased to welcome another Turkish operator to the growing community of P.180 customers and to see continued interest in an aircraft that has demonstrated its value across a broad range of markets,” Toninelli said.

Fleet evolution and Baykar integration

The Avanti EVO, the third generation of the P.180 platform, saw its first customer delivery in 2015. Since then, the manufacturer has recorded more than 40 sales of the variant. The company is also developing a next-generation model, the Avanti NX. On April 23, 2026, Piaggio secured the first order for the Avanti NX from a European operator, featuring an executive cabin with stretcher modules for air ambulance missions.

Baykar has reportedly exceeded its initial first-year targets for Piaggio Aerospace. As of April 2026, the company retained approximately 675 employees, offsetting natural departures with new hires. The Turkish firm has injected capital to sustain operations, modernize the product line, and preserve the workforce at the Italian facility.

AirPro News analysis

We view the 40th anniversary of the P.180 Avanti as more than a ceremonial milestone for Piaggio Aerospace. It serves as a clear signal to the market that the manufacturer has stabilized after a protracted period of financial uncertainty. The transition out of extraordinary administration under Baykar’s ownership appears to have provided the necessary capital to not only sustain the Avanti EVO production line but also fund the development of the Avanti NX. Achieving the stated goal of 30 annual deliveries will require significant supply chain coordination, but the recent orders from European and Turkish operators indicate that demand for the unique pusher-turboprop design remains viable in specialized mission profiles.

Sources: Piaggio Aerospace