New Light-Jet Model to Enter Service in 2025

Textron Aviation has disclosed flyExclusive, the North Carolina-based charter operator and aircraft fractional ownership concern, will be the fleet launch-customer for Cessna’s new Citation CJ3 Gen2.

The announcement was made during a press conference at 2023’s National Business Aviation Association - Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) event in Las Vegas.

The Citation CJ3 Gen2 is the latest addition to Cessna’s Gen2 series. The new machine occasions a significant evolution of the Wichita, Kansas-based plane-maker’s popular CJ platform, improving upon its forebears by dint of and updated Garmin G3000 avionics suite featuring a factory-installed autothrottle system, as well as numerous additional enhancements to jet’s flight-deck and cabin interior.

Textron Aviation senior vice-president of Global Sales and Flight Operations Lannie O’Bannion set forth: "We are thrilled to announce flyExclusive as the fleet launch customer for the Citation CJ3 Gen2, the latest addition to the industry-leading Citation family. The CJ3 Gen2 is the ideal aircraft to enhance flyExclusive's existing fleet, offering both passengers and pilots an elevated experience. With its proven performance, leading-edge technology, and unmatched cabin amenities, this aircraft reflects our commitment to innovation and excellence in aviation.”

In 2022, flyExclusive undertook an ambitious fleet modernization program comprising, in part, the addition of up to 44 new Textron Aviation aircraft—to include as many as thirty CJ3+ jets—to the air-carrier’s extant fleet of Citation X, Citation Sovereign, Citation Excel/ XLS, Citation CJ3 /CJ3+ and Citation Encore / Encore+ aircraft models.

flyExclsuive founder, chairman, and CEO Jim Segrave stated: “flyExclusive customers expect the best, and we believe the best planes money can buy are built and serviced by Textron Aviation. We take pride in being the fleet launch customer for the Citation CJ3 Gen 2, building on our decades-long relationship with Textron Aviation. I am excited that our fractional customers will get to invest and travel in the top light jet in the world.”

FMI: www.txtav.com