Business & GA

The 5,000th Cessna Citation business-jet delivered to a customer has entered service with US fractional and charter operator XOJET.

The Citation X is the 15th delivered to San Carlos, California-based XOJET, which has another 32 of the Mach 0.92 business jets on order for its hybrid ownership, leasing and charter programme. Cessna actually delivered the aircraft in June, but had leased it back from XOJET for display at several shows and events.

                                                                                                                        © XOJET

Wichita, Kansas-based Cessna delivered its first business jet, the Citation 500, in 1972, and currently has eight models in production from the very-light Mustang to the high-speed Citation X. Two new models are in development: the CJ4 light jet and superlight XLS+.

The company expects deliver 380 Citations in 2007, up from 307 in 2006, and is forecasting deliveries of a record 470 business jets in 2008. Cessna booked orders for 609 Citations in the first nine months of 2007, up from 496 in the same period a year earlier, and is now sold out through 2008.

Launch of a large-cabin Citation - the largest model yet - is expected early in 2008. This will give operators an aircraft to step up to from the mid-size Sovereign and Citation X.