Pilatus Aircraft, the Swiss manufacturer of the PC family of business aircraft and military trainers, has posted its strongest-ever annual results.

The Stans-based airframer recorded revenues of Swfr 1.174 billion ($1.2 billion) between January and December 2014, 16% higher than in 2013 – its previous record year. Earnings climbed by 30% during the same period to over Swfr 200 million.

Pilatus built and delivered 127 aircraft last year – 15 more than in 2013 – with shipments evenly split between its civil and military customers.

Improving conditions in the business aviation market resulted in a small increase in deliveries of the PC-12NG, from 65 in 2013 to 66 last year. Most of the single-engined turboprops were destined for US customers.

“In the USA, the slight recovery in the economic situation impacted positively during the year under review, even if we are far from the ‘golden times’ of pre-2008,” says Pilatus.

Source: Flight International