Textron Aviation Secures Major Fleet Order from LUMINAIR

Textron Aviation Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), has announced an important fleet order that underscores its commitment to enhancing aviation operations in Europe. At the AERO Friedrichshafen event, the company revealed a purchase agreement with LUMINAIR, a private jet operator based in Europe, for nine Cessna Citation Latitude midsize business jets. This acquisition is designed to support LUMINAIR’s growing charter operations across the continent.

The Cessna Citation Latitude has established itself as a best-selling aircraft in the midsize business jet category, celebrated for its exceptional features, versatility, and impressive operating economics. LUMINAIR's decision to incorporate this aircraft into its fleet is a response to increasing demand for efficient and reliable travel options in Europe.

“The Citation Latitude is exceptionally well suited to LUMINAIR customers travelling across Europe, offering a spacious and comfortable cabin experience along with the reliability they need to make regional missions feel effortless, day after day,” stated Lannie O’Bannion, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Textron Aviation.

With a spacious cabin that accommodates up to nine passengers, the Citation Latitude is ideal for a variety of missions, including corporate travel, personal trips, and specialized operations such as air ambulance and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The aircraft can operate nonstop on routes such as Edinburgh to Larnaca, Riga to Tenerife, and Helsinki to San Sebastián, demonstrating its capability for long-distance travel.

Alexander Stevens, Chief Operating Officer and Founder of LUMINAIR, expressed enthusiasm about the addition of the Citation Latitude to their fleet. "The introduction of the Citation Latitude marks an important milestone in our fleet strategy,” Stevens remarked. “We are scaling with purpose—expanding our capabilities while maintaining the steadfast commitment to safety and excellence our clients expect.”

This order reinforces LUMINAIR's strategic focus on growth, particularly in a market where premium private jet services are increasingly in demand.

Europe remains a significant market for Textron Aviation, boasting over 850 Cessna Citation business jets currently in operation. These aircraft cater to a wide array of missions, solidifying their reputation in the region as versatile and efficient solutions for corporate travel, air ambulance services, and other specialized operations.

The Cessna Citation Latitude is distinguished by its combination of comfort and efficiency. It features a four-passenger range of 2,700 nautical miles (5,000 km) at high-speed cruise, along with a stand-up flat floor that provides a cabin height of 1.83 meters. The aircraft’s class-leading take-off field length of just 1,091 meters allows operators to access a greater range of airfields, enhancing mission flexibility.

The agreement between Textron Aviation and LUMINAIR to operate nine Cessna Citation Latitude jets marks a significant step forward for both companies. As LUMINAIR expands its fleet to meet the growing demand for private jet services in Europe, Textron Aviation reinforces its position as a leader in the aviation industry with a robust and versatile product offering. Deliveries of the Citation Latitude jets to LUMINAIR are anticipated to commence later this year, setting the stage for enhanced travel experiences across the European aviation landscape.