26 March 2025
A Chinese company has bought the assets of German light aircraft manufacturer Flight Design.
Shang Gong Group, which also owns US-based ICON Aircraft, says it will keep production of Flight Design’s range of aircraft in the Czech Republic.
Flight Design went into insolvency administration last December. A court in Germany appointed Marcello Di Stefano, a specialist lawyer for insolvency and restructuring law, as the administrator. He said at the time, “We will do everything in our power in the coming days and weeks to find a lasting investor solution for Flight Design.”
Flight Design has been a leading brand for air sports and light aircraft for more than 35 years. It is approved by EASA as a development and production company, and operates from sites in Eisenach, Germany, Sumperk, Czech Republic and Kherson, Ukraine. After shutdown in Ukraine, where up to 600 employees were employed, the company relocated its production to the Czech Republic and says it has a backlog of orders for new aircraft.
Shang Gong Group will provide Flight Design with working capital required for the further development of the company and in particular for aircraft production in the Czech Republic.
Yongwu Chen, Vice President of Shang Gong Group, who has lived in Germany for over 20 years, said, “We are pleased to take over all of Flight Design’s assets and are confident that Flight Design will soon regain its leading role in the development and construction of light aircraft worldwide.
“We will surprise our customers with a significantly increased production in the Czech Republic and a shortening of delivery times.”
ICON Aircraft, which manufactures the spectacular A5 amphibian, was acquired by Shang Gong Group in late June 2024
The administrator, Marcello Di Stefano, added, “In a short but intensive and constructive transaction process, we have succeeded in selling Flight Design and its subsidiaries to a strong, globally active strategic investor.
“This means that the expertise and outstanding aircraft of one of the world market leaders in the field of light aircraft can be preserved, and the insolvency creditors can also expect a very good quota.”
The entire management team of Flight Design and the production company Flight Design CZ is also said to be ‘happy’ about the new investor.
A statement issued by the Flight Design team said, “The Shang Gong Group is a modern and progressive industrial company. With the takeover of Flight Design, things will move forward again for customers and employees. The company will also benefit from considerable synergy effects with other Shang Gong Group projects.”
📢 Shang Gong Group has acquired Flight Design, ensuring a strong future for light aircraft manufacturing. https://t.co/w1qTgFKVDw
Meet us at AERO (Hall B1, Stand 201) to learn more.#Aviation #FlightDesign #ShangGongGroup #AERO2025 pic.twitter.com/ybJzyluzJs— flightdesign (@flightdesignct) March 25, 2025
