Cessna Signs Service Agreement with Shanghai Hawker Pacific

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has today signed a preliminary agreement to work towards appointing Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre (SHPBASC) as an authorized service facility.

SHPBASC currently provides lounge facilities, handling and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) for business aircraft at Shanghai's Hongqiao International Airport. Authorized service facility status will allow SHPBASC to support Citation Sovereigns operating in northern Asia. SHPBASC is a joint venture between Shanghai Airport Authority and aircraft service company Hawker Pacific.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE), Scott Ernest, Cessna president and CEO, said: "This agreement is the first step towards SHPBASC being awarded authorized service facility status. We are committed to China and our valued customers here; this facility will further enhance Cessna's support network across the Asia-Pacific region."

Carey Matthews, SHPBASC general manager, added: "With over 30 years' experience of maintaining and handling aircraft, Hawker Pacific has built up a solid support network in China. Shanghai Hawker Pacific is therefore ideally placed to offer a high level of service to Cessna's rapidly growing fleet across China and the surrounding region."