Cape Air firms delivery schedule for first 20 of 100 Tecnam P2012 Traveller aircraft

Tecnam announced the conclusion of an agreement with U.S.-based commuter airline Cape Air on delivery schedule for the first 20 of 100 Tecnam P2012 Traveller aircraft.

Negotiations were concluded following an extensive review of the configuration, direct and indirect cost analysis of the P2012 by key members of both the Cape Air and Tecnam leadership teams, including Dan Wolf – CEO and Founder, Jim Goddard – Senior Vice President, Fleet Planning & Acquisitions and Mike Migliore – CFO of Cape Air. The contract was signed by Paolo Pascale, CEO, Amedeo Fogliano, CFO and Walter Da Costa, Global Sales Director on behalf of Tecnam.

The production of the next-generation 11 seat P2012 Traveller has been much anticipated by many airlines, who have been demanding a replacement for the hundreds of ‘heritage’ airplanes in the FAR23/CS23 category currently in service around the world.

Cape Air has been a key partner in the development of the Traveller, along with Lycoming engines and Garmin avionics. EASA and FAA certification is on track for 2018, with an initial delivery of the first 20 airplanes beginning in January 2019.

Several pre-orders for the Traveller have been received from operators worldwide, including Argentina, Russia, Australia and Europe, which will quickly establish the P2012 as the perfect aircraft for regional airlines operating short-haul routes.

“It’s a historic day for Tecnam. We are so proud to have fulfilled the needs of Cape Air, one of world’s largest regional airline operators. Our response has been to produce not only a beautiful aircraft but one which enables operators to offer better and modern service along with reduced operating and maintenance costs. We warmly welcome Cape Air to the Tecnam family, and thank the board for their trust”, said Paolo Pascale, Tecnam CEO

“What we asked of Tecnam was not easy, but they gave us a real solution for our future needs in a changing industry. We are now able to offer our passengers a modern and stylish twin-engine aircraft ideal for small community air service in the U.S. and abroad. We look forward to having the aircraft in service. Tecnam has created a great product that is both innovative and beautiful. We are confident the Traveller will delight our communities and customers” said Dan Wolf, Cape Air CEO.

The Tecnam P2012 Traveller, designed by Professor Luigi Pascale, first flew on July 21st, 2016. Tecnam is aiming for EASA and FAA certification by 2018. Since the maiden flight, the prototype has accumulated more than 250 flight hours. P2012 serial number 002 has been configured as a “Conforming Production Aircraft’, and will be the template for P2012 customer production aircraft.

Equipped with latest avionics from Garmin, the new G1000 Nxi and powered by two modern 375 HP Lycoming piston engines, the Tecnam P2012 Traveller has been designed from the start to be a very versatile and flexible aerial platform, offering multi-role opportunities including VIP, cargo, parachuting, medevac and amphibious.

More information on the P2012 Traveller at http://p2012.tecnam.org

About Cape Air

Now in its 28th year, Cape Air is one of the largest independent regional airlines in the United States, serving 39 cities in the US, Caribbean, and Micronesia. The employee-owned company, based in Hyannis, Massachusetts, has grown from three flights a day between Provincetown and Boston in 1989 to a fleet of 91 aircraft, 525 flights a day and service to 686,000 passengers annually. Cape Air has been recognized as “One of the Top Ten Small Airlines in the World” by Condé Nast Traveler.