Honda Aircraft Makes First HondaJet Delivery in Europe

Four months after the HondaJet first entered service following U.S. certification, the aircraft is entering the European market with a ceremonial delivery at AERO 2016 in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Honda Aircraft’s exclusive HondaJet dealer for Central Europe, Rheinland Air Service, will become the first operator of the aircraft in Europe.

“Delivering the first HondaJet in Europe is a significant milestone in our journey to bring new value to the light jet market,” said Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino, who this month moved from an operating officer to managing officer for parent Honda Motor Co.

Honda Aircraft secured U.S. FAA approval on December 8 and announced the beginning of deliveries on December 23. The company reported two deliveries for 2015, and the parent company might detail first quarter aircraft shipments during its upcoming quarterly financial next Thursday. Honda Aircraft, which obtained certification for the HondaJet from Mexico in March, told AIN that European Aviation Safety Agency approval is pending.

Europe is a key market for the light jet. Honda has named three dealers in the market and debuted the aircraft to the European market during last year’s EBACE. That followed with a multi-city tour that included stops in Poland, Germany and the UK in concert with its dealers.

As Honda moves to expand its markets, Honda Aero, which produces the HondaJet’s HF120 light jet engines for the GE Honda Aero Engines joint venture, broke ground on April 19 for a $21 million, 50,000-sq-ft expansion at its Burlington, N.C. facility. The company said the expansion, to be completed early next year, will allow it "to expand its manufacturing flexibility and production capability for the HF120 light-jet engine, as well as any future projects.” The expansion will push total capacity at the Burlington plant to more than 130,000 sq ft.