Despite Pandemic Year 2020: Pilatus Achieves Top Results!

[Official Press Release]

Corona also placed great demands on Pilatus, causing turbulence for the company: Pilatus managed to maintain turnover at 1.1 billion Swiss francs nevertheless, almost the same level as in 2019, and operating income was even slightly better at 155 million Swiss francs. 129 aircraft were delivered in total and the order book is well filled at 1.7 billion Swiss francs.

What a year! There cannot be a company in the world that has not mentioned the corona pandemic and its impact on business in its Annual Report. Whilst aircraft customers remained cautious for four to six weeks, they then returned, contrary to expectations, and demand was all the stronger. Accordingly, the biggest challenge was not only dealing with the pandemic itself but, in particular, finding answers to disrupted supply chains and the threat of production delays.

129 aircraft delivered

41 PC-24s, 82 PC-12 NGXs and six PC-21s were delivered over the past year. The PC-12 NGX and PC-24 in particular, our latest flagship products, are selling extremely well. The 100th PC-24 was handed over to our loyal customer Jetfly at the end of 2020, marking an important milestone in this as yet young program.

With the PC-21 order from Spain signed at the end of January 2020, Pilatus achieved a very important goal towards securing the future. Starting this year, Pilatus will deliver a total of 24 PC-21s to the Spanish Air Force, the Ejército del Aire. The maiden flight of the first PC-21 for the Spanish Air Force has already taken place.

Employee bonus despite corona

The very good year-end result is due in particular to the most important resource of all, the Pilatus workforce. For 2020, all employees will once again share personally in the company’s profits with, this year, an additional pay-out of up to 1.5 months’ salary. Pilatus has always paid its employees a bonus ever since the employee profit-sharing scheme was launched in 1995, allowing them to participate directly in the company’s success.

Oscar J. Schwenk on 2020

“We have come through a challenging year with flying colors. The operational management team under CEO Markus Bucher has done outstanding work. Surviving the corona year with such a good result is proof that Pilatus is a very healthy company with a sustainable strategy which is fully supported by all. I have therefore decided to hand over the office of Chairman of the Board of Directors to new hands from summer 2021 – now is the right time. The new Chairman of the Board of Directors will be elected at the Annual General Meeting in June 2021.

In Hansueli Loosli, a current member of the Board of Directors, we have found a capable personality who is available and qualified for this office. At that time, I will also provide further information about my future responsibilities. I will remain with Pilatus, but not in an operational capacity or as Chairman of the Board of Directors.”

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