Otto Aviation announced Monday it will relocate its corporate headquarters and establish an aircraft manufacturing facility at Cecil Airport in Jacksonville, a move expected to bring hundreds of high-wage jobs and over $430 million in capital investment to Florida.

The project will create 389 jobs with an average annual wage of $90,388. The new site will support final assembly and long-term operations related to the Phantom 3500, a twin-engine aircraft designed for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

The announcement was made during the opening day of the 55th International Paris Air Show, where Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida officials formally opened the Florida Pavilion featuring 15 small and emerging aerospace companies. DeSantis joined Otto Aviation executives to confirm the relocation, which includes the production site for the company’s Phantom 3500 business jet.

“This new facility will become more than a manufacturing site — it’s the launchpad for the future of sustainable aviation,” said Paul Touw, CEO of Otto Aviation. “Jacksonville stood out as a city that shares our long-term vision: pushing boundaries in aerospace innovation while creating high-quality jobs and meaningful impact. We’re excited to become a part of this dynamic community.”

The Jacksonville Aviation Authority approved a $34.9 million incentive package for the project, and the City of Jacksonville authorized up to $20 million through a Revenue Enhancement Value grant. The State of Florida committed more than $430 million in Corporate Income Tax Credits and High Impact Performance Incentive grants to support the expansion.

Operations will begin in Hangar 825, formerly used by the U.S. Navy, with plans to construct a dedicated manufacturing plant. The company expects to begin production of flight test vehicles in 2026 and conduct flight testing in early 2027, with aircraft certification and market entry targeted for 2030.

Otto Aviation selected Jacksonville following its participation in the 2024 Farnborough Air Show. The relocation effort had been developed under the code name “Project Bluebird” during multi-year discussions between Otto, state officials, and local economic development agencies.