General Aviation Cessna-AVIC Aircraft signs agreement for eight Cessna Citation XLS+ jets

During a signing ceremony, held at the Asian Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (ABACE) at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, the two companies have confirmed the order for eight Cessna Citation XLS+ business jets. Deliveries of the aircraft are expected to take place between 2019 and 2021.

“This recent order by the CFIC demonstrates the Center’s continued confidence in the products and services provided by Textron Aviation,” said Kevin Wu, international vice president of sales, Greater China and Mongolia. “We continue to fully support the operations of the CFIC and its mission to propel the development of the civil aviation safety system in China.”

A special flight inspection equipment will be installed into the eight XLS+ aircraft, which enables the operator to respond to highly challenging missions in the region. The Flight Inspection Center of CAAC (CFIC) will also perform inspection and certification missions for the communication and navigation instruments of newly built airports in China.

XIONG Jie, Director of CFIC added: “The successful purchase of these aircraft is only possible with the great support for flight inspection operations from the Party Group of Civil Aviation Administration of China, which is significant to the fleet construction of CFIC and ensuring civil aviation transportation safety.”

Over the course of a thirteenth five-year plan for the development of China´s civil aviation, all authorities in the country will complete work on 30 airports, commence work at 44 new airports and will reconstruct and expand 139 airports in the country. Moreover, 19 airports will be relocated to protect residents and to guarantee that the acceleration of the country´s civil aviation has enough space.

Currently, the fleet of CFIC consists of eight 560 XLS/XLS+ aircraft. The operator has made good experiences with the XLS+, as the aircraft is ideally suited for these missions. Good high-elevation performance, the ability to perform in severe weather conditions and economical operating costs make the aircraft a perfect fit for CFIC.