Belgian manufacturer Sonaca Aircraft announced last week that it was stopping production of the the S200 two-seat GA aircraft due to the pandemic down-turn.
The Sonaca 200 is a two-seater low-wing aircraft with an all-metal structure and a 750-kg maximum take-off weight.
The company board of directors decided on 23 May not to provide funding for the loss-making aircraft production, but committed to service and support for existing S200 customers.
"The cessation of Sonaca Aircraft's production activities is a necessary decision," said Yves Delatte, CEO of Sonaca. "The COVID-19 pandemic, which will globally impact the aviation sector until 2025, has strongly affected general aviation, especially activities related to pilot training and education."
Orders of the Sonaca 200 were well below the company's break-even point, with only 57 deliveries made to customers since production began in 2017.
Sonaca Aircraft attempted to find a strategic partners to help enter new market segments without reaching an agreement, resulting in the decision to cease production.