Oriens Aviation, the exclusive distributor for Pilatus Aircraft in the UK and Ireland, has snapped up Avalon Aero's business aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at London Biggin Hill airport.
The acquisition is designed to strengthen Oriens' portfolio of services and take advantage of the growing the PC-12 fleet in Europe – home to more than 200 of the single-engined turboprops.
The European Aviation Safety Agency's recent decision to allow single-engined turbine aircraft to operate commercially in instrument meteorological conditions is also expected to open up a new, potentially burgeoning market for the 10-seat, all-metal type.
Oriens Aviation
The business will operate under the Oriens Aviation banner, with a view to becoming the principal authorised PC-12 service centre in the UK by 29 January, says the company. Oriens will continue to provide MRO support from the 1,670m2 (18,000ft2) hangar on a range of business jets from the Cessna Citation and Hawker Beechcraft stables, along with the Piaggio Aerospace P180 Avanti twin-turboprop series.
Source: Flight International
