Cessna Brings Citation Business Jet Line to Moscow’s Jet Expo 2008

MOSCOW. – Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has brought the top four Citation business jets favored by customers in Russia to the Jet Expo 2008 international business aviation exhibition at Moscow’s Crocus Expo complex.

“It’s wonderful to see this event mature right along with Cessna’s sales and support growth strategy for Russia,” said Roger Whyte, senior vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Jet Expo offers great access to the Russian market and allows us to build on the solid presence we’ve established through a valuable relationship with our partner, JETALLIANCE.”

Cessna’s aircraft static display includes the entry-level Citation Mustang, the Citation Excel, the Citation Sovereign and the Citation X, the world’s fastest civil business jet.

“These represent the most popular models among the Russian general aviation fleet, which is experiencing strong growth,” Whyte said. “We are also finding great interest in the Citation XLS+, and we anticipate robust sales as we progress on our all-new, large-cabin Citation Columbus program.”

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

“In the past, we’d seen as much as a 70/30 split of domestic versus international sales,” Whyte said. “In 2007 that split was nearly even, and it is creeping more toward 40/60 this year with the help of emerging economies like Russia. Russia’s temporary suspension of customs duties on imports, including general aviation products, is certain to boost sales.”

JETALLIANCE Group is one of the world’s leading business jet enterprises, offering a unique turnkey solution for business jet customers. With JETALLIANCE, the customer can purchase, finance, operate and maintain an aircraft. The group’s subsidiary, JETALLIANCE Flugbetriebs GmbH, operates a fleet of 35 aircraft with an average age of only three years - one of the youngest fleets in Europe. It operates commercially in Europe and is FAA Part 129 certificated, allowing commercial operations throughout North America.