Cessna CAIGA joint venture begins deliveries of Citation XLS jets in China
ZHUHAI, China, Nov. 11, 2014 – Cessna Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today the first deliveries of the Citation XLS+ business jets from the company’s joint venture operations in Zhuhai. The joint venture (CESSNA-AVIC Aircraft (Zhuhai) Co., Ltd.) between Cessna and China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company Ltd. (CAIGA) is delivering the first two Citation XLS+ aircraft to Guangzhou Zhongheng Group, Ltd. as part of the company’s activities during Airshow China, Nov.11 – 16 in Zhuhai.
“Businesses around the world have continued to select the Citation XLS+ because of its unique blend of performance capabilities and operational efficiencies,” said Scott Ernest, president and CEO, Textron Aviation. “We are honored to celebrate Guangzhou Zhongheng Group as our Citation XLS+ launch customer in China and commend the company for evaluating the options in the market and choosing this aircraft as the productivity tool that will help grow their business throughout the region.”
As a large enterprise covering various market segments including pharmaceuticals, hospitality, real estate, and food and beverage, Guangzhou Zhongheng Group selected the Citation XLS+ to provide greater access to locations where the company has facilities and customers.
“Having the ability to quickly meet face-to-face with business partners and customers is key to our continued success and business growth,” said Madam Xu Shuqing, chairman and president, Guangzhou Zhongheng Group. “By selecting the Citation XLS+, we know we are not only making a wise investment choice for our growing company, but that we are also backed by the unmatched breadth of support and expertise within Textron Aviation.”
The Citation XLS+ is the world’s most sought-after business jet. 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, range of mission capabilities and favorable operating efficiencies. The aircraft provides customers access from Beijing to Hong Kong and Hong Kong to Shanghai, well within a one-day trip. Inside is the largest cabin in its class with nearly 19 feet (5.64 meters) of length, a dropped aisle that provides 68 inches (173 cm) of height the entire length of the cabin and seating for up to 12 passengers. It travels as fast as 441 knots (817 kilometers/hour) with a range of more than 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 kilometers) at long range cruise, departing from runways as short as 3,560 feet (1,085 meters).
More than 6,600 Cessna Citations have been delivered to customers around the world since 1972. Citations are the largest fleet of business jets in the world and have surpassed 30 million flight hours
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About Textron Aviation Inc.
Textron Aviation Inc. 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. 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 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.
About CESSNA-AVIC Aircraft (Zhuhai) Co., Ltd.
CESSNA-AVIC Aircraft (Zhuhai) Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Cessna Aircraft Company and China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd. (CAIGA), obtained its business license from the Ministry of Commerce in July 2014. Joint venture operations conduct final assembly of Cessna Citation XLS+ business jets for the Chinese market including assembly, paint, testing, interior installation, customization, flight testing and delivery of the XLS+ to in-country customers. Deliveries of aircraft by the joint venture began in November 2014.
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.
