Fri, Sep 27, 2019
Current Order Book Full Through The Next 12 Months, Company Official Says
On September 20, Sonaca Aircraft unveiled its new facilities which are located at the Namur aerodrome in Belgium. The infrastructure includes an assembly hall, offices as well as a showroom. The aerodrome’s two parallel runways favor movements and allow for testing and operations all year long.
The start of the activity on the Namur site has marked a decisive turning point in Sonaca 200 production and deliveries. "Thanks to this new infrastructure, we can simultaneously assemble 8 aircraft and produce around 60 aircraft per year or even up to 80 aircraft per year in the event of peak periods," said Harold Van der Straten, Sonaca Aircraft CEO.
Regarding the sales of the aircraft, they now come to over 60 aircraft "the current order book has secured the production for the next 12 months," added Pierre Van Wetter, Sonaca Aircraft Chief Commercial Officer.
Resolutely focused on international expansion, Sonaca Aircraft has earned the trust of clients in Europe and beyond. "Most of our clients are located abroad (Germany, Estonia, France, Great Britain, Turkey). They are mainly flight schools and flying clubs looking for capable and reliable two-seaters to complete or even replace a fleet of aging aircraft," said Pierre Van Wetter.
Sonaca Aircraft has always made it a point to meet market requirements. The manufacturer has developed renting and leasing solutions in order to provide a service rather than a product. "From the outset, clients have expressed an interest for these kinds of solutions. They avoid schools and flying clubs from having to finance the purchase of the aircraft and handling the resale. Leasing also allows clients to adapt the capacity on demand and thereby face certain peaks of activity without having to invest in new aircraft," Van der Straten said.
The manufacturer is also planning to develop an IFR version and an "Upset Prevention and Recovery Training" (UPRT) utility version.
(Image provided with Sonaca Aircraft news release)
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