Cessna has introduced an aircraft interiors programme designed to speed up completions processes across its nine service centres for owners of its Citation business jet models.
Historically Cessna's service centre network averages around 260 refurbishments over a 12-month period, but the RightNow interiors programme is expected to boost that tally across its nine facilities. They will each stock pre-selected, certificated interior design materials thereby eliminating long lead times - typically of between eight and 12 weeks.
"The aircraft market is not unlike the housing market in that most owners are concerned with resale value and market appeal," says Cessna. "While our aircraft owners might not be actively marketing their aircraft for sale, they do want their aircraft refreshed and appealing to the largest potential market."
Meanwhile, French business aircraft cabin interior parts supplier JCB Aero is moving into cabin refurbishment and will relocate to larger premises this year.
JCB vice-president commercial Philip Male says "this is the final link in the chain" for the 25-year-old French company. "We have found a niche in the market," he adds. "As the used aircraft inventory starts to shift, these new owners will look at changing the interior as a way of stamping their identity on the aircraft. There is also a growing fleet of 10-year-old Boeing Business Jets that will need to be refurbished."
Drawn by financial incentives from the French government, JCB is moving at the end of the year from its base in L'Isle-Jourdain 30km (18 miles) west of Toulouse to a new, larger facility around 40km further away.
JCB will offer refurbishment on all business aircraft types, Male says, and has no plans to move into new aircraft completions. JCB expects European Aviation Safety Agency Part 21J design organisation approval for installation in the fourth quarter.
Source: Flight International
