A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

Piaggio Aero Industries’ new industrial plant in Villanova d’Albenga, Italy, a future production facility for the Avanti II twin turboprop, is expected to be completed soon and fully functional by the first quarter of next year, the aircraft manufacturer told AIN. Originally set to be up and running last year after its 2011 groundbreaking, the factory is the linchpin of Piaggio’s single-production-site strategy intended to improve the efficiency of its aircraft manufacturing and MRO activities.


The Genoa, Italy-based company plans to move all aircraft production to the site this year, consolidating structures work now performed at its Finale Ligure and Genoa Sestri production facilities. The new factory, 50 miles southwest of Genoa, is adjacent to Villanova d’Albenga Airport and its 4,688-foot runway.


According to Piaggio, the total project cost is about $136 million. The industrial plan requires altering contracts with Piaggio Aero’s labor force, and changes are under discussion with unions and government agencies. The company said the contractual changes will not affect the timetable for completion and relocation of all production activities to Villanova d’Albenga.

New Piaggio Avanti Factory Nears Completion

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