Textron Aviation delivers 500th Citation Latitude business jet

Textron Aviation marked a production milestone for its Cessna Citation Latitude business jet on Tuesday, rolling out the 500th aircraft from its Wichita, Kansas manufacturing facility, according to AVweb. The midsize business jet entered service in 2015, making the milestone a little more than a decade after its introduction.

Textron describes the Latitude as the world's best-selling midsize business jet. The company did not disclose the identity of the customer receiving the 500th aircraft or provide additional delivery details in its announcement.

Aircraft design and capabilities

The Citation Latitude was designed around a stand-up, flat-floor cabin that allows passengers to move around without stooping. The aircraft combines the cabin with short-field performance and the range needed for a variety of business and personal missions.

Lannie O'Bannion, Textron Aviation's senior vice president of global sales and marketing, said the aircraft's cabin, versatility and operating value continue to attract customers. Eric Cardinali, the company's senior vice president of manufacturing, credited the workforce with reaching the production mark. "Behind every aircraft is a team committed to delivering the quality and craftsmanship our customers expect," Cardinali said.

Broader Citation family performance

The Latitude is part of Textron's Citation business jet lineup, which ranges from light jets to larger midsize and super-midsize models. The entire Citation family has accumulated more than 7,500 deliveries worldwide, according to Textron Aviation. Textron said the 500th aircraft adds to the growing global fleet and reflects continued demand for the Latitude.

The production milestone reflects sustained demand for the midsize segment of the business jet market. For customers already flying the Latitude, the continued output of the 500th aircraft demonstrates the aircraft remains central to Textron's midsize offering.

The reporting does not say whether Textron expects further production milestones for the Latitude, or what market conditions support the continued demand the company cites.