Le Bourget, Paris
New Avanti EVO contract with UK's Zenith Aviation
Piaggio Aerospace announced today at the Paris Air Show that Zenith Aviation, Britain’s leading charter service, purchased its first Avanti EVO aircraft with the option for a further seven aircraft. Zenith is the first UK-based operator to order the Avanti EVO, which is due for delivery this October.
The Avanti EVO will offer Zenith a step-change in short-haul charter operations. It is the fastest next-generation twin turboprop in production. Cruising at 460 mph (402KTA) and with a range of 1,980 miles (1,770nm), the EVO can seat up to nine passengers in the most comfortable and spacious of in-flight cabins (5 feet 9 inches high and 6 feet wide).
The design innovations are focused on ensuring that passengers have the smoothest, quietest and most relaxing flight. For example, the lower cabin altitude of the Avanti EVO ensure passengers disembark feeling fresher and more revitalised. Furthermore, the next–generation Avanti is not only significantly quieter in the cabin but also has a lower noise footprint than comparable size turbo-props, making it a ‘good neighbour’ as well.
Carlo Logli, CEO of Piaggio Aerospace, said: “We are particularly pleased to announce this new contract at the Paris Air show, on the heels of yesterday’s signing with a Malaysian operator, demonstrating that our new Avanti EVO is exceeding market expectations in terms of style, speed, comfort, eco-friendliness and economics. Furthermore, this agreement with Zenith Aviation, one of the most renowned and respected British operators, is particularly significant for us as it marks our entry in the strategic UK market”.
Stuart Mulholland, Managing Director of Zenith Aviation, said: “We are delighted to be able to be the first UK based charter operator to offer the aircraft broker community access to the significant benefits the Avanti EVO affords them and their clients. With its remarkably lower cost of operation in particular, the EVO will enable brokers to effectively promote how productive and cost effective it is to make business and private aviation a key part of their client’s business growth and development strategy”.