The Italian fire brigade has ordered a new Piaggio P.180 Avanti Evo.
The aircraft will replace an older P.180 and will be customised to the needs of the Brigade.
As well as transporting up to eight passengers, the aircraft will take part in Search and Rescue (SAR) missions, carrying one stretcher and featuring a Flight Management System (FMS) capable of SAR Mode.
The P.180 will be delivered with a passenger door larger than standard to better deliver the missions.
The contract includes scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance by Piagiio Aerospace for two years following the delivery. The total value of the order is approximately 9 million euros.
Paolo Maurizi, Head of the Aerial Service and Airport Rescue Coordination Office, Emergency Central Directorate, National Fire Brigade, said, “One of the two aircraft of our fleet needed significant configuration updates, and its replacement with one of new production seemed soon to us to be the optimal solution.”
Piaggio Aerospace is currently up for sale. Vincenzo Nicastro is the administrator, operating under the title of Extraordinary Commissioner of Piaggio Aerospace. He was appointed by the Italian government in December 2018, after the company ran into financial problems.
“The company, with integrated functions of Customer Service and Sales, is demonstrating an excellent vitality and significant capability to operate in the international markets,” said Nicastro.
“With this new order, the company has in production 11 new Avanti EVOs and is proceeding with the upgrading of the onboard systems of an additional 19 P.180 aircraft operated by the Italian Armed Forces.
“The total amount of the order portfolio – including the activity of the Engine Business Unit – has a value of approximately 640 million euros ($750 million USD). Additional orders for a value of 260 million euros ($300 million USD) are under negotiation.”
Eleven companies have been granted access to Piaggio Aerospace accounts for due diligence and Nicastro is aiming to complete a deal by the end of 2020.
