Four Citations To Dubai Charter Company, Seven To Sales Operation

At EBACE2006 in Geneva, Switzerland Wednesday, Cessna Aircraft Company announced the sale of four new business aircraft to Gulf Jet-UAE, the first aircraft charter company in Dubai.

Gulf Jet-UAE will take delivery of one Citation Sovereign (type shown at right) in June, and three Citation XLS aircraft in 2007 for its charter operations in the Middle East.

"The Cessna aircraft are particularly well suited for our operations, given their superb combination of range, cabin comfort, low operational costs and excellent reliability," said Gulf Jet-UAE President and CEO Yosef Al-Ghareeb. "We were particularly impressed with their capability in high-temperature operations, thanks in large part to the performance of the Pratt & Whitney Canada engines."

"We think this sale is another indication of the growing strength of the business jet market in the Middle East," said Cessna Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Roger Whyte. "The booming economy of the Emirates is tailor-made for the Gulf Jet-UAE operation, and we're certainly excited about our role in developing the charter market there." 

The Citation Sovereign has a range of 5,339 km (2,881 nm) and the XLS has a range of 3,441 km (1,858 nm) -- giving both models the range to reach any part of the Mideast region, and into India.

Cessna also announced the sale of seven new Citations to Wallan Aviation, Cessna's authorized sales representative in the Middle East. The order is for four Citation Sovereigns, two Citation XLS jets,and one Citation CJ3. All seven aircraft will be delivered in 2007.

"This order is a result of the tremendous showing of Cessna at the last Dubai Air Show and indicates the strong market for the range of Citation aircraft in the region," said Capt. Saad Wallan, chairman of Wallan Aviation, which also placed 18 Cessna Citation business jets into the region in 2005.

Cessna is exhibiting the majority of its line of Citation jets at EBACE. In addition to the Citation Sovereign, XLS and CJ3 (above), Cessna is showing their Citation X, Citation CJ1+ and CJ2+, the Citation Encore, and its Caravan turboprop. 

FMI: www.cessna.com