Textron Aviation and NetJets announced a record fleet agreement on September 20, 2023 for the option for NetJets to purchase up to 1,500 additional Cessna Citation business jets over the next 15 years. NetJets has been named as the launch customer for Textron Aviation’s newest jet fleet, the Citation Ascend. Deliveries of the Citation Ascend are expected to begin in 2025, when the aircraft, currently under development, is expected to enter service.
1,500 business jets over 15 years
Textron Aviation and NetJets announced a record fleet agreement on September 20, 2023 that includes the opportunity for NetJets to purchase up to 1,500 additional Cessna Citation business jets over the next 15 years. This agreement extends NetJets’ existing fleet agreement and includes options for an increasing number of aircraft each year, allowing NetJets to expand its fleet with Cessna Citation Ascend, Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude aircraft. NetJets has been named as the launch customer for Textron Aviation’s newest jet fleet, the Citation Ascend. Deliveries of the Citation Ascend are expected to begin in 2025, when the aircraft, currently under development, is expected to enter service.
NetJets becomes launch customer for Citation Ascend
The Citation Ascend is designed to bring an entirely new cockpit, improved performance and a more luxurious cabin to the mid-size business jet market. Preliminary performance targets indicate a range of 1,900 nm (3,518 km) for four passengers at cruising speed (with an estimated maximum range of 2,100 nm, or 3,889 km), a speed of cruise of 441 kts (816 km/h) and the ability to reach directly to 45,000 feet (13,500m). NetJets owners will benefit from amenities already found in the Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude, including a flat floor that provides additional legroom. The aircraft will be equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines, as well as Garmin G5000 avionics with autothrottle. The Ascend is also equipped with a Honeywell RE100 (XL) auxiliary power unit (APU) approved for unattended operations. The Ascend model planned for NetJets will feature a standard seven-passenger seating configuration and a spacious overhead bin.
