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Textron Aviation has handed over the first batch of Cessna Citation Ascends to fleet launch customer NetJets, the Wichita airframer announced this morning. Delivery of a trio of the twinjets to the fractional provider comes six months after the newest member of the Citation family secured FAA certification. The latest in the venerable Citation XLS line, the Ascend entered service with an unidentified retail customer earlier this year.
NetJets, a long-time Textron Aviation customer, has operated a dozen different Citation models, including Ascend predecessors, over the past 40 years. In fact, the Citation S/II launched the service in 1986. The order for the Ascend came through a multiyear agreement placed in 2023 for up to 1,500 Citation Longitudes, Latitudes, and Ascends.
Additional deliveries are expected in the coming months as the NetJets fleet continues to expand, according to Textron Aviation. Noting that NetJets customers have shown a preference for midsize jets, NetJets Aviation president Patrick Gallagher said, “The Citation Ascend represents the next evolution in midsize jet travel, delivering the latest in exceptional design and comfort.”
The Ascend brings factory-standard Garmin G5000 avionics with autothrottle to the XLS line as well as a flat floor, a range of cabin upgrades, and other enhancements. Sporting two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines, the Ascend has increased thrust, improved fuel efficiency, and a 1,940-nm range with four passengers. The cabin has a seating configuration for eight passengers, is equipped with a full refreshment center, and has a large baggage compartment.
“The Citation Ascend represents our continued investment in supporting NetJets customers well into the future,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior v-p of sales and marketing for Textron Aviation. “Building on the proven performance the Citation family is known for, the Ascend introduces new technology and comfort enhancements that matter to fleet customers.”
Textron Aviation has handed over the first batch of Cessna Citation Ascends to fleet launch customer NetJets. Announced last month, delivery of a trio of the twinjets to the fractional provider comes six months after the newest member of the Citation family secured FAA certification. The latest in the venerable Citation XLS line, the Ascend entered service with an unidentified retail customer earlier this year.
NetJets, a long-time Textron Aviation customer, has operated a dozen different Citation models, including Ascend predecessors, over the past 40 years. In fact, the Citation S/II launched the service in 1986. The order for the Ascend came through a multiyear agreement placed in 2023 for up to 1,500 Citation Longitudes, Latitudes, and Ascends.
Additional deliveries are expected in the coming months as the NetJets fleet continues to expand, according to Textron Aviation. Noting that NetJets customers have shown a preference for midsize jets, NetJets Aviation president Patrick Gallagher said, “The Citation Ascend represents the next evolution in midsize jet travel, delivering the latest in exceptional design and comfort.”
The Ascend brings factory-standard Garmin G5000 avionics with autothrottle to the XLS line as well as a flat floor, a range of cabin upgrades, and other enhancements. Sporting two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines, the Ascend has increased thrust, improved fuel efficiency, and a 1,940-nm range with four passengers. The cabin has a seating configuration for eight passengers, is equipped with a full refreshment center, and has a large baggage compartment.
“The Citation Ascend represents our continued investment in supporting NetJets customers well into the future,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior v-p of sales and marketing for Textron Aviation.
NetJets, meanwhile, continues to see growth in its fractional programs. Parent Berkshire Hathaway reported that its aviation services businesses—including both NetJets and FlightSafety International—generated 11.8% year-over-year revenue growth in the first quarter. This increase was primarily due to the higher number of aircraft in shared ownership programs, and in-flight hours flown and higher average rates at NetJets, according to Berkshire Hathaway’s latest earnings report.
“The increase in demand, in part, was attributed to customers responding to potential further price increases and supply chain concerns,” the report notes, “including extended inventory order lead times,” alluding to 12- to 36-month lead times for new-production business aircraft.