Comes On The Heels Of 100th CJ3 Delivery

Cessna Aircraft Company is building -- and delivering -- bizjets as fast as customers can write the check. The company told ANN Tuesday it delivered the 100th Citation Sovereign business jet to Canada-based Agrium, a global producer and marketer of agricultural nutrients, industrial products, and fertilizers, and a major supplier of agricultural products and services in North and South America.

"While we've long been a leader in the light jet category, the Sovereign has given Cessna a strong competitive position in the mid-size jet segment," said Cessna Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jack J. Pelton. "According to retail aircraft registration data, Cessna's market share in the mid-size jet category has gone from 15 percent in 2003, before the Sovereign was available, to 35 percent in 2005 and 2006 - proof of how the marketplace has accepted the Sovereign as the best-selling traditional mid-size business jet in the industry."

"So far, 25 Sovereigns have gone to international customers in 17 different countries, including South America, Europe, the Middle East, Mexico and Australia," Pelton added. "We anticipate demand will continue to increase for the Sovereign as we are already sold out of this model well into 2008."

The Citation Sovereign received Federal Aviation Administration type certification in June 2004, with the first Sovereign delivered to a customer in September 2004. It is currently one of Cessna's top three best-selling business jet models worldwide. The mid-size Sovereign with its stand-up cabin can be configured for up to 12 passengers and two crew. It has a 459-knot cruise speed (527 miles per hour), 2,847-mile range, 3,640-foot takeoff distance, 2,650-foot landing distance, and 47,000-foot ceiling.

The 100th delivery of the Sovereign follows closely on the heels of the 100th delivery of the Citation CJ3, delivered August 28. The eight-passenger Citation CJ3, also one of the top three best-selling Cessna business jets, received Federal Aviation Administration certification in October 2004. It has a maximum cruise speed of 417 knots (480 miles per hour), 1,875-mile range, 3,180-foot takeoff distance, 2,770-foot landing distance, and 45,000-foot ceiling.

FMI: www.cessna.com