Cessna is announcing an order for 30 Citation X high-speed business jets from XOJet, valued at $600 million, at this week's National Business Aviation Association convention in Atlanta.
San Carlos, California-based XOJet operates a fleet of Citation Xs on a hybrid fractional ownership and on-demand charter programme, which it says increases revenue-earning aircraft utilisation and reduces costs to owners and customers.
XOJet is taking delivery of 12 Citation Xs ordered at the 2006 NBAA show, and aircraft under the new deal will be delivered between the first quarter of 2008 and fourth quarter of 2010.
The company sells whole or half shares of the Citation X, but owners do not pay monthly management fees or fixed costs. Instead they pay for hours in the aircraft. XOJet says this is 20% less expensive than traditional ownership, 33% less than fractional ownership and 40% less than jet cards.
XOJet also offers a lease programme that guarantees availability without aircraft ownership and it provides on-demand charter service with the fleet. As a result, the company says, more than 95% of its flights generate revenue, compared with the industry standard of 65-70%, offsetting operating costs.
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©CessnaXOJet has begun taking delivery of Citation Xs ordered at the 2006 NBAA convention |
Cessna is buying lithium ion batteries from A123Systems for an undisclosed application for a new business jet and possibly for retrofit into the existing line of Citation jets after certification sometime after second quarter next year. The company plans to use the batteries for engine start and for emergency back-up power, the first such application of the devices in the business aviation sector. Lithium ion batteries are lighter, require less maintenance and charge more quickly than traditional lead-acid of nickel cadmium-based aircraft batteries, says A123. Cessna plans to continue offering lead or nickel cadmium batteries as well, it says.
Source: Flight International
