Riviera Airport Unveils Plans to Create a New Strategic Centre in the Mediterranean for General & Business Aviation

Geneva, 24 May 2017 – At EBACE 2017, Riviera Airport – historical airport with a strategic position in Villanova d’Albenga (Liguria region) and co-exhibiting with Piaggio Aerospace – unveils plans to create a strategic and exclusive centre of general & business aviation in the Northern Mediterranean.

The project consists of the creation of a new runway, the offer of new infrastructures and exclusive services at competitive prices that will allow clients to benefit from the Riviera Airport experience. The low air traffic density, the trans-boarding and the up-front custom and immigration clearance, already guarantee the highest levels of privacy and the opportunity to land and take off in a few minutes.

The Airport is adjacent to the Piaggio Aerospace plant of excellence, where all Piaggio Aerospace products are designed, developed and manufactured. Among these, the Avanti EVO, the innovative third generation of the legendary P.180, offering superior climb performance, huge fuel savings, lower emissions compared to aircraft in the same class and the biggest stand-up cabin in class. Piaggio Aerospace is displaying one of its Avanti EVO aircraft in the static area of EBACE.

Clemens Toussaint, Chairman of Aeropolis S.p.A., declared: “My ambitious idea is to develop the extraordinary potential of the runway in Albenga as a modern base for jet owners and operators in the region. Our guests should enjoy the freedom and the liberty of private aviation. Riviera Airport offers our clients the privilege of flying depending entirely on their own schedule, and it represents a competitive alternative in the existing mature market. Riviera Airport could be also a strategic option for the Principality of Monaco, which has no runway on its own. A binational airport, managed jointly by the Italian State and by the Principality of Monaco, would be a unique experience for both countries and would create extraordinary business opportunities in the entire area.”

Renato Vaghi, Chief Executive Officer of Piaggio Aerospace, said: “Riviera Airport is one of the initiatives aimed at creating value for this area of the Italian Riviera, which adds to the creation of the centre of excellence where Piaggio Aerospace operates. The attraction of new élite customers will favour local businesses and tourism, as well as the connection with Mediterranean strategic regions. We are delighted to provide the project with the visibility it deserves and we are ready to assess future potential partnerships with Riviera Airport.”

About Riviera Airport

Riviera Airport looks back on nearly a century-old history of Italian aviation. Established in 1922 and named after the Italian fighter pilot “Clemente Panero”, the runway at Villanova d’Albenga was variously used for military, industrial and civil purposes. Today, the Riviera Airport is the home port of Piaggio Aerospace, Italy’s most important aircraft manufacturer. Apart from this, the airport is used exclusively to handle general and business aviation. The 1.5 km long runway can be used by aircraft with a take-off weight of up to 60 tonnes and offers private jets of all classes an interesting alternative to the overcrowded airports beyond the Italian border. Monte-Carlo can be reached in less than an hour by motorway, while a helicopter operator offers a 20-minutes shuttle flight from the runway to the Principality. The sandy beaches of Alassio, the nearby golf course of Garlenda and the beauty of the Ligurian coastlines and mountains invite passengers and crew to explore and to rest. Riviera Airport is managed by AVA SpA (CEO Alessandro Pasqualini), which is owned at 99.5% by Aeropolis SpA.

About Piaggio Aerospace

Piaggio Aerospace designs, develops, manufactures and maintains aircraft, aircraft engines and structural components. Piaggio Aerospace is a story of innovation and progress started in 1884 in Genoa, Italy. A continuous commitment to research & development, combined with innovative design and style, drive the development of Piaggio Aerospace, a main player on the world market for executive planes, unmanned aerial systems and special mission aircraft. The company operates from its brand new aerospace centre of excellence at Villanova d’Albenga, Italy. Piaggio Aerospace is implementing a strategic plan oriented towards developing business in response to new market demands. The company’s new vision aims to maintain and strengthen its role as a main player in business aviation as well as a key player in the defence & security sector. Piaggio Aerospace is 100% owned by Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Investment Company.