Speaking today at the Dubai Air show, Mark Paolucci, Cessna’s senior vice president for sales, said: “There is no denying the global recession has impacted the Middle East but the region’s economies remain fundamentally strong, with Saudi Arabia predominant.

The country’s government and individual customers continue to be key players in the business jet market. Right now, we see Saudi Arabia as the greatest opportunity for sales in the region. We also believe that Citation jets are ideal for business aviation across the entire Middle East and North Africa. We also believe that Morocco is another great market that shows good potential for Cessna.”

Assessing the impact of the recession, Paolucci said: “The new commercial leaders in the Middle East want to balance their desire for the time-saving advantages of business aviation with a pragmatic evaluation of cost. Whether an owner is looking for short-range regional transportation with our entry-level Mustang or new M2, a mid-size aircraft capable of operating in demanding conditions like the XLS+, or rapid intercontinental travel with a Citation Ten, Cessna is able to provide a compelling solution.”

Paolucci added: “Alongside the comfort, performance and value of our aircraft, the quality of our customer field support is one of our major strengths. With an Authorized Citation Service Center in Riyadh and another center opening soon in Cairo, Cessna offers Middle East customers the peace of mind and convenience synonymous with Citation ownership.”

 ‘Game-Changing’ Products

Paolucci, emphasized : “The Citation Latitude is a game-changer for the mid-size segment in the Middle East and North Africa, offering the payload, speed and range the market requires with an unmatched cabin experience at this price point.” The aircraft is priced at $14.9 million in 2011 USD.

Adding : “We can’t wait to bring the Citation Ten to the Middle East and the world. As a larger, advanced version of the Citation X, already the world’s fastest certified business jet, the speed of the Citation Ten will quite simply be exceptional, expected cruising at up to 527 knots [976 kilometers an hour]. And with an expected maximum range of 3,245 nautical miles, the Ten will make a city pairing such as Riyadh-London a convenient nonstop flight.”

Improving on many of the virtues that have made the Citation X so popular in the Middle East, the Citation Ten will be able to reach altitude faster, and travel farther, than the Citation X. Seating up to nine passengers and two pilots, the Ten is 15 inches longer than the Citation X, providing extra passenger legroom in the forward club seating area.

The Citation Ten program is on track for first flight by year-end 2011 and deliveries are expected for the second half of 2013.