Customers Sign For 88 New Aircraft

Cessna wrapped up the eighth annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) last week in Geneva, Switzerland, with 88 new aircraft orders totaling nearly $750 million.

During the three-day event, Cessna took orders for 70 Citation business jets, 14 Caravans and four single-engine pistons. These orders include two announced on EBACE's opening-day -- 24 business jet orders from Austrian charter giant JetAlliance, and 20 Citation Mustangs from Russian air taxi operator Dexter; to date, Cessna has received over 500 orders for the light jet.

The orders also include those from Air Alliance GmbH, one of Europe's most active Cessna Caravan Authorized Sales Representatives. Air Alliance ordered six 208B Grand Caravans, a 172 Skyhawk and 182 Skylane.

"Our sales and marketing team on the ground in Geneva, as well as the support staff back in the United States, worked hard to close these deals and make this one of our most successful appearances at EBACE," said Roger Whyte, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing for Cessna. "It is key to note these orders encompassed our entire Citation line and involved our piston and turboprop models as well. Our broad product range allows us to match an aircraft to fit any mission our customers have."

Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2007, Cessna delivered 1,272 aircraft, including 387 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $5 billion.

FMI: www.cessna.com