Textron Aviation opens Airshow China 2014 positioned to grow Chinese fleet

The market for business aviation in China is, by most accounts, predicted to grow during the coming decade and Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, with its Cessna and Beechcraft brands, is positioned to play a significant role in the region, according to company executives attending Airshow China 2014 in Zhuhai.

“Beechcraft and Cessna products are the leading models in China in the categories in which we compete, and our focus is to continue to identify the general aviation needs of the region and provide the best solutions,” said Bill Harris, vice president, Sales in the region. “Changes in the operating environment in China and in the perception of business aviation have resulted in robust market development, with the number of business aircraft in the region nearly doubling in just three years.

”Textron Aviation products on display this week at Airshow China represent a broad spectrum to match customer missions: Cessna Citation XLS+ midsize business jet, Beechcraft King Air 350i twin-engine turboprop, Cessna Grand Caravan EX single-engine turboprop and Beechcraft Baron G58 twin-engine piston.

“From the versatility of our Citation XLS+ to our high-performance Baron G58 piston, Textron Aviation’s depth is as valuable as our brands’ name recognition after being in the region for decades,” Harris said. “We continue to grow our presence in-country, not only through increased sales and support activities but we’ve partnered with local industry organizations to produce both Citation XLS+ business jets and Caravan turboprops in China, specifically for the growing Chinese market.

”For customers in China Cessna’s Citation XLS+ is now available through CESSNA-AVIC Aircraft (Zhuhai) Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Cessna and China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company Ltd. (CAIGA). The Citation XLS+ gained final type certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in April and the joint venture is poised to deliver the first Citation XLS+ business jet assembled in-country to a Chinese customer. The Caravan is also being produced in China for in-country customers under another joint venture between Cessna and CAIGA, CESSNA-AVIC Aircraft (Shijiazhuang) Co., Ltd.

“Having an increased presence in-country has allowed us to be closer and more responsive to customers who can benefit from the broad scope of Textron Aviation products and services enjoyed worldwide,” Harris said. “Textron Aviation is actively investing in the growth of general aviation in China and partnering with local entities to elevate the use of aircraft as business productivity tools.”

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