Bournemouth based Meridian Aviation has the honour of becoming the first sole distributor for

Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft.

This covers the UK and Ireland, including the Channel Islands. Meridian says that it has already

sold one $3.5 million Pilatus PC12s and a second aircraft has been ordered for early this year.

Bob Berry, sales director at Meridian says that the Pilatus distributorship on top of the Piper contract is a proven formula seen in the United States where there are six combined sales and service centres.

He added: “We know that the Pilatus PC12 is the logical step up from the PA46 Meridian. As our engineering personnel at Bournemouth have over 10 years experience on turbine engine maintenance, we were the natural choice to market and support Pilatus.”