Will Be One Of Five HondaJet Dealers In US

HondaJet East, a sales and service representative for Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., announced Thursday the Albany International Airport (ALB) in Albany, NY will be the home for the HondaJet Sales and Service facility servicing the Northeastern United States. One of five HondaJet dealership locations in the United States, the distinctive sales and service facility is expected to be complete in 2010, in anticipation of first deliveries of the HondaJet.

"The HondaJet East team, in cooperation with Honda Aircraft Company, conducted an exhaustive analysis of hundreds of airports and communities in the Northeast in search of the perfect fit of culture, future vision and quality of life with the HondaJet, our customers, and our employees," said Paul "Mac" Langston, Chairman & CEO of HondaJet East. "The decision was difficult due to the extraordinary communities and people of the region, but ultimately, Albany and the State of New York provide an ideal balance of culture, future vision, proximity to the major Northeastern markets and technical fit for the site. We are looking forward to playing a productive, responsible and complementary role within the New York Tech Valley."

"Today's announcement by HondaJet East is further proof that Albany County and the entire Tech Valley region are at the top of the list when major worldwide companies are looking for desirable areas to expand their operations," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. "HondaJet East's commitment will bring more than two dozen high-paying jobs to the area, increase our tax roles by nearly $1 million, and encourage other air travel related companies to call the Capital Region home."

At the National Business Aviation Association convention late last year, for the first time, Honda Aircraft Company showed its proposed design specifications for standalone HondaJet dealership facilities that will be established throughout the United States over the next several years. The facilities will feature a large hangar for service operations and will be designed to provide a new level of customer sales and service support in the light jet class.

The multi-million dollar investment in the HondaJet East facility will feature customer comfort, product display and high-technology service capabilities new to the business aviation environment. HondaJet East leadership will be temporarily housed in the FBO building adjacent to the site of the future building to enable construction oversight while also attending to the HondaJet customers and market in the region.

"HondaJet East's decision to locate at Albany International Airport is a significant step in the Authority's economic development program and establishes Albany as a recognized leader in the rapidly advancing world of general aviation aircraft design and air travel," said David E. Langdon, Chairman of the Albany County Airport Authority.

Working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration, Honda Aircraft Company anticipates its first test flight of a conforming HondaJet in early 2009, with the overall timetable targeting type certification in 2010. Deliveries of the HondaJet are scheduled to begin in 2010.

FMI: www.hondajet.com