Predicts Rapid Expansion As Economies Recover

Bill Harris, Cessna vice president of Sales for Asia and Asia Pacific, said in a presentation at the Singapore Air Show that the company anticipates heightened demand for business aviation in the region.

“As the global economy continues to recover, southeast Asia’s financial resilience and rising prosperity make it likely the business aviation market will mature at quite a rapid pace," Harris said. "Long-term forecasts for the economies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam are positive, which is extremely encouraging for aviation in general.

“Not only are we seeing growing demand for our industry-leading Cessna Citation business jets in south-east Asia, we are also seeing strengthening demand for our single-engine piston and turboprop aircraft. For example, there are more than 60 Caravans operating in Indonesia and nearly 20 Caravans in Thailand. With the exciting launch of the Grand Caravan EX, we expect this demand to rise even further.”

Cessna’s Grand Caravan EX is engineered for challenging, rugged missions with high payloads and short, rough runways. This “high and hot” workhorse delivers 28 percent more horsepower than the original Grand Caravan, a 38 percent increase in rate of climb, a reduction in takeoff distance of 340 feet, and a 13-knot cruise speed improvement.

In order to support aircraft in southeast Asia, Cessna operates a joint service facility with sister company Bell Helicopter at Seletar Aerospace Park in Singapore. The facility covers 160,500 square feet in total and is equipped with facilities including a warehouse, overhaul and maintenance shops and offices.

(Images from file)

FMI: www.cessna.com