Ecuador's Dirección General de Aviación Civil (DGAC) has validated the type certificate of the entire P2012 aircraft series. This comprehensive approval covers the P2012 Traveller, powered by Lycoming TEO-540 or Continental GTSIO-520-S engines, the P2012 STOL, powered by Continental GTSIO-520-S engines, and the P2012 Sentinel SMP, powered by Lycoming TEO-540 or Continental GTSIO-520-S engines, allowing the immediate entry in service of all variants in the country under local registration.

This regulatory milestone follows the historic arrival of the first P2012 Traveller in Ecuador in July 2025, delivered to Transair Leasing, Tecnam's official dealer for Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Panama.

While that initial delivery marked the P2012's entry into the region, this full-line validation, including the multi-mission capabilities for passengers, cargo, medevac/ air ambulance, combi, skydiving and special missions, now allows airlines, private owners, operators and government entities to choose the exact configuration that fits their mission, whether it be high-altitude connectivity or operations from extremely short, unprepared airstrips.

The validation of both Lycoming and Continental engine and Traveller and STOL wing configurations is strategically vital for Ecuador's diverse geography, offering flexible performance choices while always granting twin engine safety, state of the art avionics, unmatched comfort and short take-off and landing capabilities, perfect for accessing Ecuador's most remote airstrips and challenging runways from the Amazon and Andean region to the Ecuador coastal and Galápagos inter islands connection.

“We are delighted to receive this wide-ranging validation from the DGAC,” says Francesco Sferra, Tecnam P2012 special mission platform sales and business development manager. “Ecuador presents a unique and varied operating environment where Tecnam's offer of variants and multi-mission capabilities covers it all. By validating the entire P2012 family, both the Lycoming and Continental versions, the Ecuadorian authorities have empowered local operators, airlines and owners to select the perfect tool for their mission, ensuring safe, modern and profitable connectivity.”

Diego Ribadeneira, director of Transair Leasing, Tecnam's exclusive dealer for Ecuador, comments on the significance of this approval: “This validation is the key we have been waiting for to fully unlock the potential of the Ecuadorian market. Since receiving our first P2012 demonstrator in July, we have seen immense interest from local operators and private owners. Now, with the ability to offer the full range, from the Traveller to the Sentinel SMP up to the rugged STOL version, we can provide a tailored solution for every mission profile in the country. Whether connecting the high Andes, flying an inter-island connection or landing on short jungle strips, the P2012 line is now ready to serve Ecuador.”

The P2012 series offers a modern, spacious and cost-effective replacement for ageing heritage twins. It has eleven seats – two crew plus nine passengers, is certified to the latest standards, has a glass Garmin cockpit and is versatile enough to transfer across a range of mission profiles.

With this validation, Tecnam and Transair Leasing are poised to accelerate fleet modernisation efforts across Ecuador and the broader Andean region.