Story ID: 357
Citation Latitude Reaches Asia-Pacific Market
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: The aircraft has now been certified in at least 44 countries with recent validations from China, Australia, and the Philippines.
Word Count: 265
Textron Aviation’s midsize Cessna Citation Latitude has moved into the Asia-Pacific region with recent certifications from civil aviation authorities in China, Australia, and the Philippines.

The approvals clear the way for deliveries into the markets, and the first Philippines-bound Latitude has already been handed over to a customer there. Textron Aviation, meanwhile, was in the throes of preparing for delivery of two Latitudes into China in the weeks leading up to ABACE.

The latest approvals continue a rapid international expansion for the Latitude, which has been certified in at least 44 countries.

The model has become the top seller in Textron Aviation’s (Stand 10) current jet lineup, eclipsing the M2 as the most delivered product. The Latitude last fall surpassed the 100th delivery, a milestone reached in a little more than two years and one that led Textron Aviation president and CEO Scott Ernest to declare, “Two-and one half years ago this business didn’t exist at Cessna or Textron and now it’s a billion-dollar business.” The global fleet has surpassed 60,000 flight hours.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the Latitude’s cabin comfort, operating costs, range, and performance are proving to be “especially appealing to individual owners and charter operators,” said Jessica Pruss, president, Asia-Pacific sales and marketing.

While a midsize, the Latitude features a six-foot-high, flat-floor cabin equipped with wireless technology that provides connectivity to each passenger and a new cabin pressurization system that provides a 5,950-foot cabin altitude at maximum operating altitude of 45,000 feet. The aircraft has a range of 2,850 nm.