Cessna has entered an agreement to set up a joint venture that will perform final assembly, sales and customer support for the Caravan aircraft in China.
The US airframer signed the agreement with China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA), a unit of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), and the Shijiazhuang municipal government, Cessna said in a statement.
"Not only does this continue Cessna's involvement in the development of general aviation in China, but it also paves the way for aircraft sales to which we would not have otherwise had access," said Mike Shih, vice-president for China strategy and business development for Cessna.
"These Cessna aircraft will be manufactured in the USA, in Kansas, and sent to Shijiazhuang, China, to undergo final assembly and then be sold in China," he added.
©Cessna
The deal follows two strategic agreements signed between Cessna and AVIC in March for cooperation in the development of China's business and general aviation market.
The joint venture's operations will be located at CAIGA's facilities in Shijiazhuang, where the Caravans will undergo final assembly, painting, testing, interior installation, customisation and flight testing prior to delivery to Chinese customers.
The Cessna Caravan is a single-engine turboprop with 14 seats.
Source: Flight International
