Story ID: 
Textron Aviation Announces XLS Gen2 EASA Certification
By: Jerry Siebenmark
Caption: The European launch customer for the Citation XLS Gen2 is Porsche Air Service in Austria.
Word Count: 212
A little more than two weeks after receiving FAA type certification for the Cessna Citation XLS Gen2, Textron Aviation announced today at EBACE 2022 that the fourth variant of its popular model 560XL has received EASA certification. Further, the OEM expects to make its first European delivery of the light-midsize twinjet to Porsche Air Service of Salzburg, Austria, in the coming weeks.

“This will pave the way for deliveries of the XLS Gen2 throughout Europe,” added Textron Aviation senior v-p of global sales and flight operations Lannie O’Bannion.

Introduced at the 2021 NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas, the $15.5 million XLS Gen2 updates include a lighted airstair door, the addition of an entry door for inclement weather, a pedestal seat design with individual controls and USB charging port, and an optional fold-down forward couch for extra baggage stowage. Additional upgrades are a wireless cabin management system with a moving map monitor, wireless smartphone charging, and an optional Bongiovi speakerless sound system.

Porsche Air Service is a longtime provider of charter and operator of Citations, including an XLS+. The XLS Gen2 will be the 22nd Citation flown by the company. Since its introduction as the Citation Excel in 1998, the Wichita-based airframer has delivered more than 1,000 Model 560XL variants.