Piaggio Aerospace is an Italian aircraft and aero-engine manufacturer associated particularly with the P.180 Avanti business aircraft. Its industrial origins reach back to the Piaggio enterprise established in 1884. Aircraft manufacturing and the scooter business developed into separate companies in 1964, an important distinction between the aviation company and the better-known road-vehicle brand.[1]Our storyPiaggio Aerospace · piaggioaerospace.it · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Aircraft development
Piaggio's post-war aircraft included the P.136 amphibian, the P.148 trainer, which flew in 1951, and the P.166, which first flew in 1957. These programmes placed the company in several markets rather than restricting it to executive aviation. The P.180 first flew in 1986 and subsequently became its principal business-aircraft family. Later developments included the Avanti II and Avanti EVO, with the first EVO delivered in 2015. The company also pursued the P.1HH remotely piloted aircraft programme. A new manufacturing facility at Villanova d'Albenga opened in 2014.[1]Our storyPiaggio Aerospace · piaggioaerospace.it · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Engine manufacturing and support
Piaggio's engine activities include component manufacture, assembly, testing, maintenance and overhaul. Its capabilities involve programmes associated with Rolls-Royce, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney and Pratt & Whitney Canada. Work has included Viper and Gem engine support, PW200 programme activities and components for the F135. This business serves engines installed in aircraft produced by other manufacturers as well as contributing to Piaggio's own industrial capabilities. It therefore represents a separate line of activity from assembling Avanti aircraft.[2]CapabilitiesPiaggio Aerospace · piaggioaerospace.it · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Administration and acquisition
The company entered extraordinary administration in December 2018. Baykar reached an acquisition agreement in December 2024 and completed the transaction on 30 June 2025. Operations under Baykar Piaggio Aerospace began on 1 July 2025. The company's account of the first year under its new owner identifies the acquisition as the basis for stabilising and restarting industrial activity. The change of ownership followed a prolonged restructuring process and did not mark the original foundation of the Piaggio aviation business.[3]One year on, Baykar stabilizes and relaunches Piaggio AerospacePiaggio Aerospace · piaggioaerospace.it · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details