Tag Archives: #businessaviation

Textron Aviation Celebrates 10 Years of Innovation and Excellence at Interiors Manufacturing Facility

WICHITA, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its Interiors Manufacturing Facility (IMF), a milestone that represents the company’s dedication to designing and creating a customer’s ideal aircraft environment with unmatched quality and craftsmanship. During the past decade, the highly skilled team at IMF has played a pivotal role in crafting unique and custom interiors for Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft, setting high standards in the aviation industry.

“For the past decade, the team at IMF has consistently demonstrated their expertise in designing luxurious and customized interiors for Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft. With their extensive experience and meticulous craftsmanship, each interior is a one-of-a-kind representation of our unwavering dedication to excellence and meeting our customers’ needs,” said Todd McKee, senior vice president, Integrated Supply Chain. “As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to setting the standard in the field of aviation interiors and inspiring the future of flight.”

In 2015, Textron Aviation acquired and rebranded the IMF facility. In 2024, the facility’s footprint was expanded to 16,000 square feet. The expansion allows the company to support the rising demand for custom interiors in nearly every aircraft delivery, as well as new models like the Cessna Citation M2 Gen2, CJ4 Gen2, Cessna SkyCourier, Beechcraft King Air 360 and King Air 260. Products currently in development — including the Cessna Citation Gen3s, the Citation Ascend and the Beechcraft Denali — will also be supported at the IMF facility once they enter into service.

Consistent with the company’s commitment to sustainability, the facility upgrades in 2024 also included energy-saving LED lighting and high-efficiency systems.

About Interiors Manufacturing Facility

Located in Wichita, the IMF campus is a state-of-the-art facility for aircraft interiors manufacturing. The highly skilled team of operators and artisans utilize advanced technology to create and personalize each interior furnishing. From side and overhead paneling and upholstery stitching to the cabinetry throughout the cabin, the Textron Aviation IMF team of craftsmen ensure accuracy and precision from start to finish.

About Textron Aviation

We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight.

Embraer gets firm order for 15 E190-E2s

Brazillian OEM Embraer has won a form order for 15 of its E190-E2 airliners from Japan’s ANA Group as part of the Japanese carrier’s fleet renewal plan.

The deal also includes options for a further five of the type.

ANA will use the E190s on its extensive domestic network across Japan and the economics of the type will allow it to enhance that connectivity further.

“We are honoured that Embraer’s E190-E2 small narrowbody aircraft will join ANA’s fleet and we look forward to the delivery of the first aircraft in 2028,” said Martyn Holmes, Chief Commercial Officer, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “The E190-E2 is the quietest and most fuel-efficient aircraft available, whose size perfectly complements ANA’s fleet of larger narrowbodies. Furthermore, the E2’s cabin will appeal to ANA’s passengers as it offers outstanding comfort and space with no middle seats. We look forward to seeing the aircraft take to the skies across Japan.”

When the airline takes delivery, it will be the first E2 version of the popular E-Jets range to operate in Japan.

Embraer’s order backlog reaches $26.3 billion

Embraer has reported that its organization-wide backlog reached US$26.3 billion in 4Q24. The value is the largest ever recorded by the company in its history, and more than 40% higher year-on-year and 16% higher quarter-on-quarter.

Embraer delivered 75 aircraft in the last quarter of the year, 27% more than the 59 aircraft in the previous quarter, and equal to the number in the same period a year ago. Meanwhile, the company delivered a total of 206 aircraft in 2024 – a 14% increase compared to the 181 aircraft in 2023.

In Commercial Aviation, the backlog reached US$10.2 billion in 4Q24 – 15% higher year-on-year but 8% lower quarter-on-quarter – because of the seasonally strong period of aircraft deliveries. The business unit delivered 31 new aircraft in the last quarter of 2024 and 73 in the full year (at the ceiling of revised estimates of 70-73 for the year and within the original estimates of 72-80). Consequently, Commercial Aviation finished 2024 with a strong 1.6 book-to-bill ratio based on financial values[2].

Luxair formalized an order for 2 E195-E2s, which will complement the airline’s fleet of larger aircraft already requested. By exercising 2 secured options on its 2023 firm order for 4 aircraft, Luxair now has a total of 6 E195-E2 jets requested. Thus, Embraer currently has 179 firm orders for the E2 Jets family and 164 for the E1-175 Jet aircraft.

In Executive Aviation, the backlog soared to US$ 7.4 billion in 4Q24 – 70% higher year-on-year and 67% higher quarter-on-quarter – and a new all-time high for the business unit supported by a marquee contract with Flexjet. The deal includes 182 firm orders for Phenom 300E, Praetor 500, and Praetor 600 aircraft with deliveries from 2026 to 2030, and up to 30 additional Praetor options.

The division delivered 44 jets in the last quarter of 2024, and a total of 130 for the year (at the midpoint of the original guidance for 2024, and a 14-year high). Consequently, Executive Aviation finished 2024 with an industry leading 2.7 book-to-bill ratio based on financial values.

The mid and super-mid-sized Praetor 500 and Praetor 600 represented half of the segment deliveries (22 jets) during the quarter, supported by the solid thrust forward of the aircraft family. Meanwhile, the Phenom 300, the best-selling aircraft in its category for 12 consecutive years worldwide, was the top performer (19 jets) over the period.

It is important to highlight the progress observed in the company’s production levelling initiative in 2024. Management managed to reduce how deliveries were skewed towards Q4 and better distribute them throughout the quarters. In 2024, Q4 deliveries accounted for 34% of the yearly total while that number was 45% on average for the previous five years. The company achieved significant results during the year and expects additional gains supported by supply chain improvements in the near future.

In Services & Support, the backlog rose to US$4.6 billion in 4Q24 – 50% higher year-on-year and more than 30% higher quarter-on-quarter – propped by long-term contracts with Flexjet in Executive Aviation, and Air Serbia, LOT Polish Airlines and CommuteAir in Commercial Aviation. These contracts for the latter group are for the Pool and Part Exchange Plus Programs whose objectives are to support these companies’ fleet of E-Jets with a wide range of repair components, services and customized inventory. Additionally, contributions from spares/exchange parts, technical publications, technical services, training, and modifications have played a key role in this result. Services & Support finished 2024 with an industry leading 1.9 book-to-bill ratio based on financial values[4].

In Defence & Security, the backlog climbed to US$4.2 billion in 4Q24 – 67% higher year-on-year and 15% higher quarter-on-quarter – supported by new orders for the C-390 Millennium and the A-29 Super Tucano. Embraer currently has 32 firm orders for our military transport and 17 for our light attack aircraft. Meanwhile, Defence & Security continued to ramp up production with the delivery of 3 new C-390 Millennium jets in 2024 versus 2 in 2023. Consequently, the business unit finished 2024 with an industry leading 3.3 book-to-bill ratio based on financial values[5].