SHANGHAI, China, April 14, 2014 – Cessna Aircraft Company, part of the Textron Aviation segment of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), announced today the company has been granted Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) certification for the Citation XLS+, clearing the way for deliveries in China later this year.
“Bringing the Cessna Citation XLS+ to China means introducing this market to the most successful business jet ever produced,” said Bill Harris, vice president, Sales, Asia and Asia Pacific. “Business owners consistently have chosen the Citation XLS+ more than any other aircraft in the light midsize category for its unparalleled combination of comfort, ease of operation and range of mission capabilities.”
CAAC certification is another step toward beginning operations at Cessna-AVIC Aircraft (Zhuhai) Co., Ltd. for final assembly and delivery of Citation XLS+ business jets to customers in China. Much of the work to establish the joint venture entity has been completed, and joint venture business license approval is anticipated from the Ministry of Commerce of China as early as summer 2014.
“As customers in China gain interest in the light jet and midsize categories, Cessna provides enticing advantages as the demonstrated leader in these segments,” said Bill Schultz, senior vice president, Business Development. “It is the right time to have proven products like the Citation XLS+ ready and available for the market. Our relationship with China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company Ltd. (CAIGA) is about working together to identify the general aviation needs of the Chinese market and to provide Cessna products and solutions to meet those needs.”
The Citation XLS+, part of the midsize Excel/XLS family, has the largest cabin in its class (nearly 19 feet long with a dropped aisle for 68 inches of height) with seating for up to 12 passengers. It travels as fast as 441 ktas with a range of more than 1,858 nautical miles, departing from runways as short as 3,560 feet.
More than 6,600 Citations have been delivered to customers around the world since the first Cessna Citation business jet was put into service in 1972. Citations are the largest fleet of business jets in the world and have surpassed 30 million flight hours.
Media Contact:
Stephanie Harder
+1.316.640.2872
sharder@txtav.com
textronaviation.com
About Textron Aviation
Textron Aviation is the leading general aviation authority and home to the iconic Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands which account for more than half of all general aviation aircraft flying. Textron Aviation includes the businesses of Cessna Aircraft Company and Beechcraft Corporation, bringing together decades of unmatched experience in designing, building and supporting aircraft. It provides the most versatile and comprehensive general aviation product portfolio in the world through five principle lines of business: business jets, general aviation and special mission turboprop aircraft, high performance piston aircraft, military trainer and defense aircraft, and a complete global customer service organization. Its broad range of products include such best-selling aircraft as Citation and Hawker business jets, King Air and Caravan turboprops and T-6 military trainer aircraft, all of which are backed by the industry’s largest global service network. For more information, visit textronaviation.com.
About Textron Inc
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, 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, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. For more information visit: www.textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the risk that the business license approval for the new joint venture is delayed; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of commercial products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; volatility in interest rates or foreign exchange rates; risks related to our international business, including establishing and maintaining facilities in locations around the world and relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries; the timing of our new product launches or certifications of our new aircraft products; and continued demand softness or volatility in the markets in which we do business.