Textron Aviation announced two new fleet agreements with NetJets at the National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) on Monday. The agreements give NetJets the option to purchase up to 175 Cessna Citation Longitudes and as many as 150 Citation Hemisphere business jets. The Longitude option includes first deliveries as early as the second half of 2019, with additional options to be exercised over the next 10 to 15 years.
“We are proud to expand our relationship with NetJets once again through this significant milestone for the Citation Longitude and Citation Hemisphere,” said Chairman, President and CEO of Textron Inc. Scott Donnelly. “The Longitude fleet will build on the success NetJets has enjoyed with the Citation Latitude midsize jet.”
The Citation Longitude has a 3,500-NM range, Garmin G5000 flight deck, 1,600-pound full fuel payload, Garmin GHD 2100 head-up display and enhanced vision capability. The Hemisphere is still in development, a process that was temporarily suspended earlier this year reportedly due to issues with the Safran Silvercrest engines chosen for the plane. According to Textron, “collaboration with NetJets will also yield a version of the Citation Hemisphere that offers an aviation experience customized to meet the needs of NetJets Owners.”
NetJets has owned and operated approximately 500 Citations, since it began using them in 1984. The company currently operates 75 Citation Latitudes, with another 25 expected to enter service next year.
