WICHITA, Kan. (Sept. 28, 2021) – Textron Aviation today announced the first deliveries in a fleet order of Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft to Brazilian aviation company, Azul Conecta, a subsidiary of Azul Airlines based at the airport of Jundiai in São Paulo. The company recently placed an initial five-aircraft order with options for an additional five Grand Caravan EXs. Azul Conecta, will utilize the fleet of Grand Caravan EX aircraft to transport travelers from smaller cities and remote locations throughout the country.

The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company. 

“The Caravan platform provides a valuable form of transportation throughout Brazil, especially for people in rural areas,” said Marcelo Moreira, vice president of Sales for Latin America, Textron Aviation. “It’s a proven and versatile platform in Latin America, flying passengers, cargo or both. With its combination of performance and rugged reliability, the Grand Caravan EX is capable of reaching remote areas that other aircraft cannot; connecting many people throughout the region and supporting the development and economic growth of the country.”

Following today’s two deliveries, Azul Conecta is expected to take delivery of another Grand Caravan EX in 2021 and two more in early 2022. With the addition of these two aircraft, Azul Conecta now operates 18 Caravan turboprops in its fleet, and is the largest operator of Grand Caravan aircraft in Brazil.

“Azul Airline’s business plan is to develop a regional and sub-regional aviation company in Brazil, and our operations with Azul Conecta represent this well since last year,” said Flavio Costa, CEO, Azul Conecta. “From August 2020 until now, we have already transported more than 40,000 customers, opened 12 new destinations, and completed more than 15,000 flight hours. However, we are growing, and the announced purchase of new planes coming from the factory is a demonstration that we are expanding our operations in the country. Azul Conecta is already a great success in the interior cities and, connecting with Azul Airlines, we will reach the milestone of 200 cities served in Brazil in the coming years.”

About the Cessna Grand Caravan EX

The Cessna Caravan platform has seen more than 2,900 aircraft delivered that are certified in 100 countries with nearly 24 million flight hours amassed worldwide since the aircraft was introduced. Nearly 450 Caravan and Grand Caravan EX aircraft are operating in Latin America, including more than 150 in Brazil.

Caravans fulfill roles for multiple missions, ranging from flight training to recreation, commuter airlines to VIP transport, cargo carriers and humanitarian missions. The Grand Caravan EX offers an impressive output of 867 horsepower and a rate of climb of 1,275 feet per minute. It was engineered for challenging missions, high payloads and short, rough runways, while providing single-engine economy and simplicity.

Cessna Grand Caravan EX delivery to Azul Conecta

Caption: (Left to right) Carlos Guedes, chief pilot, Azul Conecta, and Marcos Nogueira, regional sales director, Textron Aviation

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Media Contact:
Duane Frazier
+1.316.517.0014
dfrazier2@txtav.com
txtav.com

About Textron Aviation

We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 90 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight.

For more information, visit www.txtav.com  |  www.defense.txtav.com  |  www.scorpionjet.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, Arctic Cat, 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, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders.