Cessna is making "excellent progress" toward stating operations in China
through joint ventures with China Aviation Industry General
Aircraft Company (CAIGA) in Shijiazhuang and Zhuhai.
In November 2012,
Cessna and CAIGA signed agreements to form joint ventures to assemble Citation
XLS+ business jets through CESSNA-AVIC Aircraft in Zhuhai and Caravan turbo-props through CESSNA-AVIC in Shijiazhuang.
Aircraft from both plants are intended to be sold in the Chinese
market only.
Speaking at the Asian Business Aviation Conference and
Exhibition (ABACE), William Schultz, Cessna's senior vice president business
development, China, said:
"Together with CAIGA, we are making swift progress toward establishing the joint venture operations. The construction of facilities is complete and we expect tooling and equipment to be in place in Shijiazhuang by June and in Zhuhai before the end of the year."
In addition to conducting aircraft assembly and sales, the joint ventures are also expected to develop customer support capabilities to meet aftermarket needs in China.
Formation of the joint ventures and the beginning of operations remain subject to various government approvals.