The aerospace company Pilatus Aircraft has officially opened its new private jet production plant in Alcalá de Guadaira (Seville). The subsidiary, Pilatus Aircraft Ibérica, was created in 2024 as a preliminary step to the launch of these new facilities, which will enable it to expand its capacity to meet the high demand for its PC-12 and PC-24 models.

Production at the Seville plant began earlier this year. It specifically handles the structural assemblies for the PC-24 and the wiring harnesses for the PC-12. Manufacturing of the PC-12 structure is also scheduled to begin in early 2026. Some 75 people already work at these facilities, with an increase in staff planned for next year.

Growing demand
Pilatus CEO Markus Bucher says the plant has been built “to meet the growing demand for our aircraft” and explains the choice of location: “Spain has a long  tradition in aviation, an excellent network of subcontractors and suppliers, excellent educational institutions, highly qualified professionals, and an attractive investment environment.”

This growing demand from commercial aviation prompted the creation of the Seville plant when it became clear that the Stans (Switzerland) plant no longer had enough space to expand production. The Seville facility strengthens Pilatus' international capabilities while supporting its growth potential, innovative capacity, and commitment to long-term partnerships.

Future needs
The Swiss company has already taken into account the future needs of the Seville plant. Last September, the Directorate General of the Andalusian Housing and Rehabilitation Agency (AVRA) agreed to award Pilatus Aircraft Ibérica two plots of land located in the Carmona Logistics Park (Seville), which will be used to support the Alcalá de Guadaira plant.

The plots, for industrial use and measuring 71,610 and 25,497 square meters, respectively, were put out to tender jointly by AVRA and the Carmona Development Society (Sodecar) for sale as a single lot, which was awarded to the only bid submitted, for €10,000,078.90.

Pilatus Aircraft is also the manufacturer of the PC-21, a military training aircraft used by the Spanish army. This model was used by the Spanish Air Force's Mirlo Formation to fly over the Alcalá de Guadaira facilities on the occasion of their inauguration.

^{Photo: Pilatus Aircraft}