Piaggio has signed a letter of intent for an Avanti P180 at this year’s Farnborough International. “We

were exhibiting the aircraft in co-operation with Sloane Aviation, our representative for the UK and Ireland. It led to good results in terms of consolidating contacts and creating new opportunities with customers,” said Massimo Isidori, vice president of aircraft sales for Europe and the Middle East.

The letter of intent is for an as yet undisclosed customer. “We had already been in discussions with

this customer before Farnborough, but the conclusion of these discussions took place at the air show,” said Isidori.

Piaggio treated four or five potential customers to demonstration flights, which Isidori said left all very enthusiastic: “We brought a second aircraft dedicated to customer demonstrations, while keeping the static one on display for the visitors. This was due to the limitations at Farnborough regarding static display aircraft flying during the show.”

EBAN asked Isidori how important it was for Piaggio to participate in an event traditionally dominated by military and airline aircraft: “Over the last few years business aviation exhibitors have risen in importance at the show. This year it was a little less attended on the whole, and overall there were

less exhibitors. Nevertheless, we consider the UK market very important and Farnborough is a

very big occasion for us and our aircraft representatives.”

The P180 also appears to be attracting more attention since its relaunch with Ferrari’s backing. “The aircraft making the demo flights was Ferrari’s and this was a big attraction for customers because they recognise the Ferrari logo. We are trying to associate the distinctive shape of the P180 with the famous image of Ferrari.