The Citation Latitude might be late in arriving China—it is already certified in 43 countries and has been the most-delivered jet in its midsize category for the last two years —but now it’s here, making its ABACE debut with an order for two from a Chinese customer.
More than 120 are in service worldwide, with a record of more than 65,000 flight hours.
The aircraft received certification from the (CAAC) in February, clearing the way for Chinese launch customer Emper General Aviation (Suzhou) Co. to add two Latitudes to its charter fleet.
The Latitude, with a four-passenger range of 2,700 nm (5,000 km) at high-speed cruise, has a class-leading take-off field length of 3,580 ft., providing provides operators with greater range out of short fields. Inside, the Latitude offers what Cessna calls the most open, spacious, bright and refined cabin environment in its category with a flat floor and six feet of cabin height.
The Latitude is the first in a series of three new large-cabin business jets, including the super-midsize Citation Longitude, expected to enter into service in early 2018, and the large-cabin Citation Hemisphere, under development. These aircraft are designed to bring additional capabilities to the Asia-Pacific region, offering impressive performance, technology and comfort at the lowest operating costs in their respective segments.