CitationAir To Cease Flight Operations On October 31

Textron Aviation confirmed to AIN that it will terminate flight operations at its former fractional and charter/management operation, CitationAir, on October 31. The move comes 2.5 years after CitationAir stopped selling fractional shares in new aircraft and ceased renewals for current fractional-share customers in February 2012, saying at that time it would instead focus on its jet card and aircraft management products. The company is now abandoning even that modest plan.

“We previously communicated with our customers regarding the decision to cease selling our fractional, jet card and management products,” a Textron Aviation spokeswoman said. “After diligently evaluating options for the future of CitationAir, we have made the decision to wind down our operations and exit the business. Once all of the fractional interests are repurchased from current owners, the aircraft will be handled through the company’s pre-owned aircraft sales department.” The last fractional share owner contracts at CitationAir would have expired in December next year, a source told AIN.

All “impacted employees are receiving 60-day Warn [worker adjustment and retraining notices],” the spokeswoman added. Textron Aviation would not say how many people are affected, but the source said there are approximately 100 employees still at CitationAir, including 38 non-management pilots. These pilots, who are represented by Teamsters Local 1108, also sent a request to the National Mediation Board late last month asking for a vote to decertify the union.