Tradewind Aviation (TJ, Oxford, CT) has announced a firm order for twenty new PC-12 NGXs from Pilatus Aircraft , expanding its fleet of PC-12s to thirty-eight – one of the largest in the global aviation industry.
The first single-engine turboprop is slated for delivery in the third quarter of 2022, with the remaining orders scheduled for delivery over the next five years at a rate of three to four aircraft per year, the companies announced in a joint statement. They said the purchase would enable Tradewind Aviation to significantly grow its Pilatus fleet and strengthen their long-standing relationship.
Tradewind Aviation has operated on-demand private charter and scheduled shuttle services throughout the US and Caribbean since 2001.
Co-founder and President Eric Zipkin said the latest Pilatus enhancements would benefit its crew and clientele as Tradewind continued to grow over the coming years. “Tradewind currently enjoys year-on-year growth and increased demand for private charter and scheduled shuttle flights. This is a clear reflection of the airline’s upward trajectory over the coming years as Tradewind adds new route patterns and service options.”
Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd Chief Executive Thomas Bosshard said market demand for the PC-12 NGX remained strong thanks to a redesigned and modernised cabin with larger windows. An advanced single-pilot avionics system automates the flight controls, allowing for lower fuel burn and less noise.
According to the company website, Tradewind also operates Cessna Aircraft Company Citation CJ3s, and can source mid-size and larger-size jets on request on the charter side of the business.
On the scheduled side, it operates shuttles from the New York area to Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Newport, Rhode Island, and Stowe. In the Caribbean, shuttle flights are operated between San Juan (Puerto Rico), St Barts, Anguilla, Antigua, and St Thomas.
