SHANGHAI, China, April 14, 2014 – Cessna Aircraft Company, part of the Textron Aviation segment of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), announced today a landmark order for Caravan turboprop aircraft to be operated for tourism services in China, a key milestone in the company’s effort to increase its presence in China to support the growth of general and business aviation in the Asia Pacific region. The Reignwood Group has agreed to acquire 10 Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibian aircraft through the Cessna-AVIC Shijiazhuang facility to expand its aircraft services (Reignwood Star Aviation) and operate tourism flights in the southeast part of China. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) granted approval for the Cessna Grand Caravan EX to operate on floats in China in March of this year. “The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is incredibly durable and versatile, exactly what Reignwood was looking for to fit the types of missions they are planning,” said Bill Harris, vice president, Sales, Asia and Asia Pacific. “The Grand Caravan EX offers the performance commuter operators desire while providing the comfort and cabin features passengers appreciate. The options for how the Grand Caravan EX can be configured means the aircraft can be put into service for freight deliveries, commuter air travel, executive travel, aerial survey or tourism, all while being durable enough for both on- and off-airport operations and for amphibious use with floats.” Cessna-AVIC Aircraft (Shijiazhuang) Co., Ltd. is in its first year of operations and is delivering aircraft to retail customers in China. The joint venture results from the agreement signed in 2012 with the China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company (CAIGA), a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The joint venture began officially operating when its business license was approved in September 2013 by the Ministry of Commerce. More than 2,200 Caravan aircraft have been manufactured by Cessna since the aircraft was introduced in 1985. The model 675 Caravan is still available, along with the Caravan Amphibian and the Super Cargomaster EX. For more information about the various Caravan aircraft and their capabilities, go to Cessna.com/Caravan
About Textron Aviation Textron Aviation 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. Textron Aviation includes the businesses of Cessna Aircraft Company and Beechcraft Corporation, bringing together decades of unmatched experience in designing, building and supporting aircraft. It provides the most versatile and comprehensive general aviation product portfolio in the world through five principle 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 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; 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 establishing and maintaining facilities in locations around the world and relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries and difficult conditions in the financial markets which may adversely impact our customers’ ability to fund or finance purchases of our products. |