Piaggio Aerospace and its local sales agent Al Saif Aviation are out in force at MEBAA to promote the P180 Avanti Evo twin-engined turboprop to the region’s VIP and special missions communities.

Al Saif took delivery of its first and the region’s only Evo in October, and is hoping to launch services early next year. The Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-based company – which is a subsidiary of real estate and consultancy firm Al Saif Group – was appointed by Piaggio in July as its sales agent for Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, Oman and Qatar.

“We are optimistic for the Evo’s prospects across the region,” says Al Saif Aviation president and chief executive Mohammed Khalifa Al Saif. “With the performance of a jet, a large specious cabin, impressive-range and environmental credentials, the Evo is a perfect fit for the VIP and special missions markets here.”

Al Saif also sees the Evo as a replacement in the region for the ageing, out-of-production Hawker 800-series business jets and Cessna’s small Citation twins

Piaggio and Al Saif are also promoting the Evo as a multi-mission platform, with flight calibration and air ambulance services just two of the many missions the aircraft can perform.

There are also two Avanti IIs in the Gulf, Piaggio says, both of which are in government service as a VIP transport. “The aircraft hasn’t had much exposure in the region. That is all set to change now,” says Piaggio chief executive Renato Vaghi. “Once customers experience the Evo for themselves, they will appreciate how great it is.”

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Source: Flight Daily News