ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Textron
Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, and NetJets® Inc.,
a Berkshire Hathaway company, today announced fleet agreements for the
option to purchase up to 175 super-midsize Cessna Citation Longitude®
aircraft and up to 150 Cessna Citation Hemisphere® aircraft. NetJets has
operated a fleet of nearly 500 Cessna Citations since 1984, and this
agreement could increase the fleet to more than 800 aircraft over the
next 10 to 15 years. The option to purchase the Hemisphere distinguishes
NetJets as the launch customer for Textron Aviation’s revolutionary,
clean sheet large-cabin aircraft.
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Textron Aviation Inc. and NetJets Inc., today announced fleet agreements for the option to purchase up to 175 super-midsize Cessna Citation Longitude® aircraft and up to 150 Cessna Citation Hemisphere® aircraft, adding to the NetJets fleet of nearly 500 Cessna Citations over the next 10 to 15 years. The option to purchase the Hemisphere distinguishes NetJets as the launch customer for Textron Aviation’s revolutionary, clean sheet large-cabin aircraft. (Photo: Business Wire)
“We are proud to expand our relationship with NetJets once again through
this significant milestone for the Citation Longitude and Citation
Hemisphere,” said Scott Donnelly, Chairman, President and CEO of Textron
Inc., speaking at the annual National Business Aviation Association’s
Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE). “The Longitude
fleet will build on the success NetJets has enjoyed with the Citation
Latitude midsize jet. Through its class-leading performance, operating
efficiency and the quietest cabin experience in its category, the
Citation Longitude redefines the super-midsize segment. The Citation
Hemisphere will follow with its revolutionary approach to performance
and the large cabin experience.”
“As the worldwide leader in private aviation, we seek out products that
raise the bar and deliver an exceptional travel experience to our owners
and their passengers,” said Adam Johnson, NetJets Chairman and CEO. “As
we anticipate placing these orders, we look back to the first order we
placed for the Citation Latitude back in 2015. We have just placed an
order for our 100th Latitude and, just as we did then, NetJets takes
entering into this fleet agreement seriously, and we look forward to the
day we can say we took delivery of our 175th Citation Longitude. We see
the same revolutionary attributes of the Citation Latitude and Longitude
in the Citation Hemisphere and are delighted to become its launch
customer. The Hemisphere delivers long overdue innovation to the $30 –
40 million large-cabin aircraft category. We look forward to working
with Textron Aviation to lead the industry and launch an aircraft that
marks yet another new chapter in NetJets — and aviation — history.”
With an enduring relationship of more than 30 years, Textron Aviation
and NetJets equip discerning customers with class-leading, safe and
reliable aviation travel experiences worldwide. Beginning with the
industry-defining Citation SII, NetJets has owned and operated nearly
500 Citation aircraft, including the Citation Latitude, Sovereign,
Excel/XLS and X.
NetJets has the option to take first deliveries of the Citation
Longitude in the second half of 2019, with additional options on
Longitude aircraft exercised over the following 10 to 15 years.
Textron Aviation and NetJets are designing a version of the clean sheet
Citation Hemisphere to meet the discerning standards of NetJets Owners.
This side-by-side collaboration enables NetJets and Textron to join
together to create a world-class aviation experience for NetJets Owners.
They are also working with Safran to achieve performance characteristics
that enable Hemisphere to reach far off destinations with greater speed
and reliability.
“We have worked steadfastly with Safran to understand the development
stages of the Silvercrest engine,” said Brad Thress, Textron Aviation
senior vice president, Engineering. “Throughout our review, we have
remained confident that Silvercrest is the best engine choice for the
Hemisphere and are pleased to see Safran’s enduring commitment to
delivering it on time and on target.”
To date, NetJets operates a fleet of 75 Citation Latitudes and expects
to have 100 in service by mid-2019. Owner demand has ranked the Latitude
as the best-selling aircraft in the NetJets portfolio, further
establishing the Latitude as Textron Aviation’s best-selling mid-size
jet, outselling its nearest competitor 4:1. Rounding out the current
NetJets inventory of nearly 500 Cessna aircraft are the Citation
Excel/XLS, Citation Sovereign and Citation X.
About the Citation Longitude
With a range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,482 kilometers) and full fuel
payload of 1,600 pounds (726 kilograms), Textron Aviation designed the
Citation Longitude to elevate passenger expectations in the
super-midsize class by delivering a quiet cabin, a low cabin altitude
(5,950 feet/1,814 meters), more standard features and an elegant yet
comfortable, bespoke interior. With seating for up to 12 passengers —
including an optional crew jump seat — the Longitude features a standard
double-club configuration of fully berthable seats, delivering the most
legroom in the super-midsize class. A stand-up, 6-foot tall flat-floor
cabin and a streamlined divan enable safe and easy transit along the
cabin passageway while a class-leading walk-in baggage compartment
accessible throughout the entire flight ensures passengers experience
unparalleled convenience. State-of-the-art cabin technology empower
passengers to manage their environment and entertainment from any mobile
device, while high-speed internet maximizes in-flight productivity.
The clean-sheet design of the Citation Longitude integrates the latest
technology throughout the aircraft. Featuring the next evolution of the
Garmin G5000 flight deck, Longitude is powered by FADEC-equipped
Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines featuring fully integrated
autothrottles with envelope protection. With Garmin’s new Head-up
Display (GHD 2100) and enhanced vision capability, the Citation
Longitude facilitates eyes-up flying. The spacious cockpit incorporates
easier access and an ergonomic design that fully focuses on crew comfort
and efficiency.
No super-midsize jet offers more range, greater payload or higher cruise
speed at a lower expected total ownership cost. Textron Aviation also
designed the Citation Longitude to feature the longest maintenance
intervals in its class — 800 hours or 18 months — expected to make it
the most cost-effective aircraft to operate in its category.
About the Citation Hemisphere
For the first time in more than 20 years, the $30-40 million large-cabin
jet segment will experience a clean-sheet design aircraft with the
introduction of the Citation Hemisphere. The Hemisphere will connect
important city pairs while multiple zone cabin configurations deliver
the widest cabins in its class and showcase exceptional style and
quality with fit and finishes featuring the flexibility to meet a wide
array of operator needs. The aircraft’s low cabin altitude will ensure
passengers arrive at their destination feeling refreshed after long
journeys. The Textron Aviation collaboration with NetJets will also
yield a version of the Citation Hemisphere that offers an aviation
experience customized to meet the needs of NetJets Owners.
Powered by two Safran Silvercrest engines, the Citation Hemisphere is
expected to feature superior handling characteristics for an aircraft
this size, incorporating a full fly-by-wire flight control system,
delivering the latest design for maximum performance.
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
brands represent unrivaled innovation, performance and leadership in the
industry, and offer an unmatched value proposition rooted in the total
ownership experience. Leveraging unparalleled speed-to-market, Textron
Aviation provides the most versatile and comprehensive business and
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. Textron Aviation has delivered more than 250,000 aircraft
in over 143 countries. Its broad range of products include such
best-selling aircraft as Citation 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 www.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, Cessna,
Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Textron Off
Road, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For
more information, visit: www.textron.com.
About NetJets
NetJets Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the worldwide leader in
private aviation. More than 50 years ago, we launched the world’s first
private jet charter and management company. We went on to pioneer shared
aircraft ownership—offering the advantages of owning a private jet,
without the responsibilities. Today, we continue to innovate from
cockpit and cabin to safety and accessibility. As the owner and operator
of the world’s largest and most diverse private jet fleet, NetJets hires
only the most experienced and accomplished pilots and safety is our
first and highest priority. Our full range of aviation options help
individuals and businesses do more and miss less via the NetJets®,
Executive Jet Management®, and Marquis Jet Card® service brands in North
America and Europe. For more information about the world’s most reliable
and trusted aviation company, visit netjets.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 NetJets does not exercise its option to
acquire a significant number of aircraft; changes in aircraft delivery
schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders; 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; volatility in
the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that
adversely impact demand for our products.
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Textron Aviation Inc.
Investor:
Eric Salander, 401-457
2288
Jeffrey Trivella, 401-457-2288
or
Media:
Sylvia
Pierson, +1-316-617-7413
spierson@txtav.com
txtav.com
Source: Textron