Pilatus acquires German aerospace company to expand European market presence

Pilatus announced on Wednesday that it has acquired Air Alliance GmbH, which has been an authorized Pilatus Sales andamp; Service Center since 2014. Air Alliance oversees sales and technical support of the PC-12 and PC-24 in Germany and Austria. Its portfolio also includes a flight training school, a professional aircraft management program and air operator certification (AOC). Pilatus claims the acquisition will expand its market presence and strengthen its services in Europe. The company states its goal is to move even closer to customers. "Europe, particularly Germany and Austria, is a very important market for Pilatus, and offers potential for further growth," said Hansueli Loosli, Pilatus chairman of the board of directors. "This acquisition gives us the opportunity to leverage synergies and move even closer to our customers with the Pilatus brand and our own services. I'm delighted that we have Air Alliance and its employees on board with us to fulfill our mission together - Welcome to the Pilatus Family!" RELATED STORIES: Pilatus delivers first PC-12 PRO Aeromedical to Australia Pilatus PC-12 gets patriotic redesign at Duncan Aviation Pilatus delivers first PC-12 PRO to Dion Weisler, former CEO of HP Inc. The entire workforce of approximately 120 employees will be retained under the acquisition. René Petersen, the current Managing Director, will remain with the company as CEO and will lead further operations. The Air Alliance Group's global ambulance subsidiary, Unicair, is not part of the acquisition and will remain an independent company. "Going forward, we will do everything possible to work together to provide our customers with the exclusive, first-class service they are entitled to expect as purchasers or owners of a Pilatus aircraft," said Petersen. "We all look forward to building an even closer partnership in the future."