Forty years after the P.180 first took flight on 23 September 1986, Piaggio Aerospace celebrated four decades of the aircraft with a commemorative event held at its Villanova d’Albenga campus in Liguria. The event was attended by the Ambassador of Türkiye to Italy Elif Çomoğlu Ülgen, representatives of the Italian Government and institutions, senior military representatives, regional and local authorities, as well as partners, customers, and members of the media.

Since its first flight, the P.180 has become an enduring symbol of aerospace innovation. Over four decades, it has evolved continuously to incorporate new technologies and support a diverse range of civil, government, and special-mission applications. Marking the P.180’s 40th anniversary alongside the partners, customers, and others who have been part of that journey was a fitting way to celebrate both its history and its continuing evolution.

The celebration featured speeches from Piaggio Aerospace’s CEO and Chairman, who reflected on the P.180’s four-decade journey while looking ahead to the aircraft’s continued evolution and the future of Piaggio Aerospace. Numerous guests arrived in P.180s, while several were on display throughout the event, including Piaggio’s own P.180 experimental aircraft, the second P.180 ever built. The event also recognized the partners, operators, and many others who have been part of the P.180’s journey over the past 40 years.

Chairman of Piaggio Aerospace, Haluk Bayraktar, reflected on the company’s legacy and future: ‘’I want you to know one thing: I believe deeply in the future of this company. Rinaldo Piaggio started in 1884 with a workshop and an idea. And 142 years later, we are still here, and there are still aircraft leaving this field with the name Piaggio on the tail. That is something we should be proud of, and something we have a responsibility to carry forward.’’

“After forty years, it is not simply an aircraft with a history. It is an aircraft with a story – and that story is still being written,” said Cristian Toninelli, CEO of Piaggio Aerospace. “There are still new technologies to explore, new requirements to meet, and new generations of engineers who will shape its future – and we are proud to be doing that here in Liguria. The next forty years will be different from the first forty. But they will be built on the same foundation of passion and dedication that brought us here today.”

The anniversary also provided an opportunity to showcase Piaggio Aerospace’s broader industrial heritage, particularly its expertise in engine MRO and component manufacturing – capabilities that remain an integral part of the company’s identity and technical expertise. 

As part of the anniversary event, the company presented a curated exhibition of engineering drawings, models, and other materials documenting the development of the P.180. To preserve and share this legacy, a selection of historical wind tunnel models will also be made available on the Piaggio Aerospace website.

The Avanti NX: building on four decades of innovation

The anniversary comes as Piaggio Aerospace continues to develop the next generation of the P.180 family. The Avanti NX represents the latest evolution of the Avanti series, with major upgrades to its systems and cabin. With the first several Avanti NXs already sold, Piaggio plans to progressively increase P.180 production to up to 30 aircraft per year over the next decade as demand continues to grow. The anniversary therefore represents not only a celebration of the Avanti's history, but a milestone in its continuing development.

Looking to the Next 40 years

The 40th anniversary of the P.180 marks four decades of continuous evolution – but also the beginning of a new chapter. As Piaggio Aerospace looks towards the Next 40 years, it is building on its rich legacy to support its existing customers, strengthen its industrial capabilities, and advance the technologies and expertise shaping the global aerospace industry, while creating new opportunities for collaboration in Italy and beyond.

The story of the P.180 continues – and so does Piaggio Aerospace's commitment to developing its capabilities and people here in Italy and contributing to the Next generation of aerospace innovation, in close collaboration with its customers, partners, and institutions.

About Piaggio Aerospace

Piaggio Aerospace is an Italian aerospace company founded in 1884, with more than 140 years of experience in engineering and manufacturing. Today, more than 675 employees work across the company’s activities in aircraft and aero engine design and manufacturing, as well as maintenance and support. Piaggio Aerospace is the manufacturer of the P.180 Avanti, a uniquely designed aircraft renowned for its performance, efficiency, and versatility.