Textron Aviation celebrates 1,000 deliveries of the best-selling Cessna Citation 560XL series

WICHITA, Kan. (March 31, 2021) – Textron Aviation today celebrates the 1,000th delivery of its best-selling 560XL series midsize business jet with a delivery of the Cessna Citation XLS+ to a customer based in the Northeastern United States. The aircraft will be managed and operated by Custom Jet Charters, an FAA-certified Part 135 operator based at Palm Beach International and Westchester County Airports, known for providing air charter services.  

The 560XL jet series includes the Cessna Citation Excel, Cessna Citation XLS and Cessna Citation XLS+ models, all designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company.

Offering transcontinental range, enhanced cabin and cockpit technology and superior performance, the jets in the 560XL family have transformed business aviation, evolving with the industry and operators throughout the past 25 years. Today, the global fleet of 560XL aircraft has amassed more than five million flight hours.

 “The 560XL series is known for propelling the landscape of business aviation forward, delivering speed, spaciousness and comfort to a new segment of the industry. Its evolution and prominence continue to resonate with customers across the globe: Every two minutes, a 560XL jet takes off or lands somewhere in the world,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Global Sales and Flight Operations. “This milestone delivery is a direct reflection of our customers’ trust and the dedication of our employees who continue to build and support the Citation 560XL family of aircraft.”

The most recent evolution of the Citation 560XL family of jets, the Citation XLS+ features wide passenger seats, FADEC engine controls and Collins Pro Line 21 avionics with four LCD cockpit displays and the addition of graphical weather charts and maps.

This year, Cessna-AVIC Aircraft (Zhuhai) Co., Ltd., a Textron joint venture in China, is expected to deliver the 300th Cessna Citation XLS+ to the Flight Inspection Center of CAAAC (CFIC). This will be the sixth aircraft delivered as part of the eight Cessna Citation XLS+ purchase agreement signed in December 2018.

Business owners consistently choose the Cessna Citation XLS+ more than any other aircraft in the midsize category for its unparalleled combination of performance, comfort, ease of operation, range of mission capabilities and favorable operating efficiencies.

The Citation XLS+ equips operators with speeds of up to 441 knots (817 kilometers/ hour) with a maximum economy range of 2,100 nautical miles (3,889 kilometers), a takeoff field length as short as 3,560 feet (1,085 meters) and climbs to 45,000 feet (13,716 meters) in 29 minutes. With outstanding high-elevation performance and steep approach capabilities, the XLS+ can take off and land at airports with an elevation of up to 14,000 feet (4,267 meters) and meets the standards of ILS CAT II.