Cessna And AVIC Partnership Strengthens Supply For China Aviation Needs

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Cessna And AVIC Partnership Strengthens Supply For China Aviation Needs By Eddy Metcalf

		May 3, 2012 - Cessna Aircraft company, signed a strategic agreement with the China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company Ltd., (CAIGA) and the Shijiazhuang Municipal Government. This agreement is a progression stemming from the strategic framework that Cessna entered into with CAIGA parent company, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), in March 2012. Specifically, this next step forms a cooperation framework for an eventual joint venture whose purpose will be the final assembly, sales, and customer support for the Cessna Caravan in China for the Chinese market.

"It is important to understand that today's agreement is a direct result of the overarching agreement signed with AVIC in March. This agreement picks up where that announcement left off," said Mike Shih, Vice President, China Strategy and Business Development for Cessna. "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. These Cessna aircraft will be manufactured in the United States, in Kansas, and sent to Shijiazhuang, China, to undergo final assembly and then be sold in China." Cessna and CAIGA plans include locating the joint venture's operations at the CAIGA facilities in Shijiazhuang to conduct final assembly, painting, testing, interior installation, customization, flight testing and delivery of the Cessna Caravan to in-country customers. "As a subsidiary of AVIC, CAIGA has demonstrated great capabilities with general aviation production, and this made the choice of the Shijiazhuang facility a simple one," said Lannie O'Bannion, Business Leader for Caravan aircraft. "The cooperation between Cessna and CAIGA will enable us to deliver the Cessna Caravan within China for many different purposes. We have seen interest for the Caravan for use in commuter aviation fleets as well as China's growing tourist and sightseeing businesses. The versatility of the Caravan makes it a great fit for this market."

		Scott Ernest, Cessna president and CEO, said "We continue to be extremely pleased with the cooperative relationship between AVIC and Cessna. China's potential in general aviation is tremendous, and represents an exciting opportunity for Cessna. Since we do expect China to be one of the largest general aviation markets in ten year's time, we are excited to see that it will be Cessna aircraft that will help meet this demand in the years to come." Other News Stories (For the latest news please checkout our home page) Boeing?s Wiglet For B-737 Max Provides Additional 1.5 Percent Fuel Burn Gyroplanes Builder, Groen Brothers Aviation Reaches Agreement With Creditors Flight Data Recorder Manufacturing Report Shows Industry Doing Quite Well Aviation Capital Group Prevails In Case With Olympic Airlines Solving The Flying Thermos Problem Harmonization And Global Standards Key To A Safer Aviation Industry J-2X Engine Ready For Second Test Series Boeing Rolls Out First 787 Dreamliner Built In South Carolina Alaska Airlines Bay Area Team Gets A Lesson In Diversity By Going To The Dogs OIG Testifies The State Of Aviation Safety And FAA?s Oversight Of The NAS Legislation Would Remove Canada Geese From JFK Airport Wheeltug To Introduce Aircraft Nose Wheel Taxi On The Airbus A320 A350 XWB Aft Fuselage Delivered To Final Assembly Line Hawker Beechcraft To Layoff 350 Employees, May Seek Bankruptcy Protection Pittsburgh International Airport Receives Runway Improvement Grant P&W PT6C-67E Turboshaft Engine Receives Canadian Type Certification First U.S. Commercial Flight Of Genx-Powered Dreamliner Lands In Boston US Navy To Upgrade 20 Year Old Analog ATC Radars With Digital Technology Survey Reveals Airports Deliver The Most Attractive Audience To Advertisers Aviation Reform Legislation To Address Cargo Pilots Porter Airlines Operates Canada's First Biofuel-Powered Revenue Flight Unions Prepare For Possible Merger Of US Airways And American Airlines Seattle?s Museum Of Flight Welcomes First Portion Of NASA?s Shuttle Trainer Gulfstream To Award Two Aviation Maintenance Scholarships Airline Pilots Meet With Senate Banking Committee On Ex?Im Bank Reauth From Vietnam To OEF, Pilot Flies Last Mission Of Career Delta Air Lines Signs Agreement With OSHA On Seat Belt Compliance Measures Venture Aircraft Acquires Assets Of Swift-Cor Aerospace Space Command Officials To Eliminate Airmen Flight Suit And The Leather Jacket TSA Testing Document Verification Technology At Washington Dulles Airport FAA's Manage Systems Engineering 2020 Contracting Practices Insufficient