Brazil Ranks Among Top Business Jet Markets for Cessna

SÃO PAULO, Brazil.– Trailing only the United States and Europe, Brazil is now among the top business jet markets for Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.

Cessna is here through Aug. 16 to participate in the Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition. Among the aircraft in the company’s static display are three Citation business jets: the Citation Sovereign, Citation CJ3 and Citation Mustang; the Grand Caravan turboprop and two single-engine pistons: the Turbo Stationair and Cessna 400.

“Business aviation in Brazil is benefiting from a strong economy; Cessna will deliver more Citation business jets to Brazil this year than any other international market,” said Trevor Esling, vice president, International Sales for Cessna. “A growing number of companies and individuals throughout the region are embracing the concept of an aircraft as a business tool. Cessna’s broad product range offers a solution for various mission types and gives customers efficient transportation, convenience, flexibility and accessibility to remote areas.”

Cessna is scheduled to deliver 48 new business jets to customers in Latin America by the end of 2008, and the company’s backlog there tops more than 175 Citations. Orders span the entire Citation line, from the entry-level Mustang to the all-new, large cabin, intercontinental Columbus.

“Brazil is our largest single international market for the Mustang, outside the European Union,” Esling said.

The worldwide fleet of Cessna Citations surpasses 5,200, making it the largest fleet of business jets in the world. There are more than 370 Citations in Latin America today.

Worldwide Citation deliveries reached 387 in 2007, up from 307 in 2006 and an increase of 50 percent over 2005. Cessna plans to deliver 470 new business jets this year, 535 in 2009.

The company reported 435 orders for Citations in the first six months of 2008. Cessna took a record 773 business jet orders in 2007.