GENEVA (May 23, 2016) – Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, is displaying eight class-leading business jet and turboprop aircraft from Cessna and Beechcraft, including Europe’s most recently-certified business jet, the Cessna Citation Latitude, to this year’s European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE), May 24-26 at Geneva’s Palexpo convention center.
“2016 is off to a strong start, with European jet and turboprop sales up 20 percent from the first quarter in 2015,” said Kriya Shortt, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing. “In addition to the Latitude, we have also achieved EASA certification on all of our King Air turboprops and are experiencing great market acceptance of these products. We are excited to expand our European customer base as we continue to bring innovative solutions and service offerings to market.”
Citations reign supreme in Europe
Europe is perfectly suited for the versatility and performance capabilities of Cessna’s broad range of Citation business jets. With more than 800 Citations in operation throughout Europe, Citations are among the most popular business jet choice in the region.
The Citation Latitude, which is making its second EBACE appearance, will feature an all-new standard interior, redesigned to match the comfort and class of the new Citation Longitude. The Latitude is ideally suited for this market and can provide customers non-stop access to key destinations throughout the continent as well as North Africa and the Middle East. The aircraft brings the amenities of large cabin aircraft at a midsize acquisition price and best-in-class operating costs. The Latitude also offers class-leading short-field performance and was recently certified to operate at La Mole Airport in St. Tropez, France, with the ability to carry significant payload.
“We are thrilled to have achieved EASA certification on the Citation Latitude earlier this year and we continue to experience great market acceptance of the aircraft with 23 delivered to customers around the world in just seven months,” said Shortt. “Europe continues to be a great market for all of our Citation products and we will continue to bring tailored solutions to meet the needs of our customers.”
In addition to the Latitude, additional Citation jets featured on static display include the Citation Sovereign+, Citation CJ4, Citation CJ3+ and the Citation M2.
Textron Aviation turboprops win in region
With more than 500 King Airs and Caravans operating in Europe, Beechcraft and Cessna’s turboprops continue to lead the market. The Beechcraft King Air and Cessna Grand Caravan EX platforms, which are on display this week at EBACE, have proven to be ideally suited to the region’s needs, due to their ample range, solid load capacity and mission flexibility. With the company’s recently announced single engine turboprop, Textron Aviation has invested in solutions that offer versatile turboprop platforms for commercial operations.
“With EASA anticipated to ease regulation on single engine commercial operations, we are confident the proven Caravan platform and our newly-announced single engine turboprop will provide European commercial operators a best-in-class solution for both passenger and freight operations,” said Shortt.
The Beechcraft King Air 250 equipped with the new Pro Line Fusion avionics system and cabin upgrades made its debut last year at EBACE. Since then, Beechcraft has delivered 22 Fusion-equipped aircraft, a clear sign of success for the best-selling business turboprop family in the world. Most recently, the Fusion-equipped King Air 350i/ER and 250 aircraft have achieved EASA certification, paving way for deliveries throughout Europe.
Pro Line Fusion for the King Air brings one of the most trusted avionics architectures to the first full touch-screen flight display system. The one-of-a-kind, intuitive flight deck interface enhances the flight experience while reducing pilot workload.
Images:
Citation Latitude aerial
Citation Latitude interior
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About Textron Aviation Inc.
Textron Aviation Inc. is the leading general aviation authority and home to the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands, which account for more than half of all general aviation aircraft flying. The Textron Aviation companies include Cessna Aircraft Company and Beechcraft Corporation, bringing together decades of unmatched experience in designing, building and supporting airplanes. It provides the most versatile and comprehensive general aviation product portfolio in the world through five principal 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 most capable global service network. For more information, visit txtav.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, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. 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 efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs; the timing of our new product launches or certifications of our new aircraft products; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; 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 relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries; difficult conditions in the financial markets which may adversely impact our customers’ ability to fund or finance purchases of our products; and demand softness or volatility in the markets in which we do business.
Media Contact:
Rosa Lee Argotsinger
+1.316.517.5524
rlargotsinger@txtav.com
txtav.com
Show Contact:
Charley Mann
+44.7824.358388
textronaviation@8020comms.com