Open Sky Aviation will be the first air charter operator in the Middle East region to offer entry-level business jets. It will begin operating from Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport upon delivery of its first Mustang and will serve destinations including Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

"The Citation Mustang is the perfect aircraft to attract new customers to business aviation. It will be a natural step up for travelers who presently fly scheduled but need better access to destinations across the Middle East. Our business customers will be able to make quick one day business trips to Cairo, Amman and Jeddah whilst our leisure passengers will appreciate direct flights to the Greek isles, Cyprus, Turkey and Sharm El-Sheick," said Open Sky Aviation Chief Executive Haytham Azhari.

"This order demonstrates that the Citation Mustang is excellently suited to the Middle East and to charter operations. Its range and interior space make it an ideal choice for regional travel and we are sure it will prove popular with Open Sky Aviation's customers," said Cessna Vice President, International Sales Trevor Esling.

Cessna has delivered more than 5,000 Citation business jets, more than any other manufacturer.

Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2006, Cessna delivered 1,239 aircraft, including 307 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $4.2 billion. Cessna has a current backlog of $11.9 billion. Since the company was originally established in 1927, some 190,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered to nearly every country in the world. The global fleet of more than 5,000 Citations is the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at http://www.cessna.com.

Textron Inc. is an $11 billion multi-industry company operating in 32 countries with approximately 40,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at http://www.textron.com.