WICHITA, Kan., July 24, 2013– Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced a unique program covering all scheduled maintenance and parts costs for the Citation Sovereign for the first five years or 1,500 flight hours. The “Sovereign Shield” program practically eliminates maintenance-related direct operating costs of model year 2013 Citation Sovereign aircraft, allowing owners to operate the Citation Sovereign for far less than other business jets in the midsize category.
“The Sovereign Shield program offers fantastic advantages for the Sovereign owner,” said Brad Thress, Cessna senior vice president, Business Jets. “Buyers can take possession of a 2013 Sovereign with confidence that the maintenance for the next five years is covered. Sovereign Shield is an industry-leading tip-to-tail service program which instills confidence and passes savings onto those customers who choose the Sovereign as their business tool.”
The Citation Sovereign boasts a 3,000 nm range, updated technologies and interiors, and enhanced capabilities. “If buyers think they know the Sovereign, it’s time to look again. The upgraded cabin management system in the Sovereign is a big hit with customers. They notice the longer cabin and are impressed with the all new interior, including wider seats, designed for maximum in-flight comfort,” Thress said. “Pilots are excited about the G5000 avionics. They like the split-screen options for the displays, and the reduced workload that comes with auto-throttles. These upgrades are inspired by customer feedback, and we can tell it is resonating positively with those who ride in the plane, and those who fly the plane.”
“The nine-passenger Citation Sovereign is already known as a fantastic, efficient aircraft with superb short-field performance, allowing it to fly into most airports in the world,” said Kriya Shortt, Cessna senior vice president of Sales. “Now the Sovereign brings exceptional payload capabilities and outstanding performance for hundreds of dollars less per hour than any other competing aircraft in its category.”
When covered by the Sovereign Shield program, operators can save more than $3,500 on a 2,000 nm trip when compared to direct operating costs of mid-size class competitors. Cessna boasts an extensive network of 15 factory-owned Citation Service Centers around the world, in addition to the 39 authorized Citation Service Facilities worldwide to assist with maintaining the Citation Sovereign aircraft. For more information on the Citation Sovereign, visit Cessna.com.
About Cessna
Cessna is the world’s leading general aviation company. Since its inception in 1927, Cessna has designed, produced and delivered nearly 200,000 airplanes around the globe. This includes 6,500 Citation business jets, making it the largest fleet of business jets in the world. Today, Cessna has two principal lines of business: aircraft sales and aftermarket services. Aircraft sales include Citation business jets, Caravan single-engine utility turboprops, single-engine piston aircraft and lift solutions by CitationAir. Aftermarket services include parts, maintenance, inspection and repair services. In 2012, Cessna delivered 571 aircraft, including 181 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of $3.111 billion. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at cessna.com.
About Textron
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 Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at textron.com.