Pilatus celebrates delivery of the 500th PC - 12 business turboprop

Highly successful PC-12 will be on display at AVEX 2005 airshow in Egypt.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 23, 2005 - In just 10 years of production, Pilatus Aircraft marked a major PC-12 program milestone on January 14^th, by commemorating the delivery of the 500^th aircraft of this popular single-engine business turboprop.  The PC-12 has been the top selling turbine-powered aircraft in general aviation for the past three years in a row, and orders for 2005 have already surpassed previous years' records. 

Customer demand in the Middle East for the PC-12 is showing healthy growth, according to leading Dubai-based business aviation services and air transportation solutions company ExecuJet Middle East. With aircraft based in Dubai and Cairo, the fast, and reliable PC-12 is proving, "a firm favourite among the region's users", says Khader Mattar, ExecuJet Middle East Sales Director.

As part of a promotional drive to highlight the operating features of this exceptional aircraft, ExecuJet will be showcasing the PC-12 at the AVEX 2005 air show to be held at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport in Egypt from 23^rd - 25^th February 2005.

"The PC-12 really meets the needs of executive travellers in this region," says Mattar. "It could have been designed for Middle East operations. Coupled with an attractive purchase price with low operating costs, the PC-12 offers great flexibility and ruggedness, and excellent performance - even in 'hot-and-high conditions."

ExecuJet is the appointed Pilatus distributor for the Middle East and is responsible for sales and support of the PC-12 in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Lebanon, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar. 

Combining a single 1,200 horsepower Pratt & Whitney turboprop engine with an aerodynamically-advanced airframe, the PC-12 offers excellent speed and economy with a spacious, pressurised cabin, including a lavatory.

With a factory-standard large cargo door in the rear fuselage, the PC-12's flexibility as a multi-mission platform is renowned. Although a high percentage of the 500 already sold have been purchased as six-place executive transports, solid numbers of the PC-12 have also been delivered in nine-seat airliner configuration, four-passenger seat/freight combination version and, for air ambulance and medevac roles.

The ExecuJet Aviation Group is headquartered in Zrich, Switzerland, and has operations in four regions: Middle East, Europe, Africa and Australasia. Each region hosts several dedicated business divisions, each focused on specific skills and services within the aviation industry, including Pilatus PC-12 and Bombardier business jet aircraft sales, flight operations, including aircraft management and charter, aircraft maintenance and FBO facilities. ExecuJet currently operates more than 70 aircraft under partial or full management, 36 of which are available for charter, deployed in key Middle Eastern, European, South African and Australian bases under the operating authority of one of ExecuJets six regional civil aviation issued air operating certificates.

-Ends-

For further information contact:
Nicholla Henderson                                         
Marketing Manager                                              
ExecuJet Middle East                          
Tel Tel: +971 4 294 9460             
Fax: +971 4 294 8405                                       
nicholla.henderson@execujet-me.com             

Khader Mattar                     
Sales Director
ExecuJet Middle East
Tel: +971 4 294 9460
Fax: +971 4 294 8405    
khader.mattar@execujet-me.com

© Press Release 2005