Positive customer acceptance drives 47 percent increase in aircraft deliveries year-to-date
LAS VEGAS (Oct. 21, 2013) – Today during the 2013 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas, Beechcraft Corporation reported 48 total aircraft deliveries for the third quarter of 2013, comprised of 38 commercial aircraft and 10 military trainer airplanes. Through the first nine months of the year, the company has delivered 163 Beechcraft airplanes as compared to 111 during the same period of 2012, a 47 percent increase year-over-year.
“Beechcraft’s strong third quarter continues the positive momentum we have experienced throughout the year,” said Bill Boisture, CEO. “The class-leading capabilities and many mission profiles of our product and service portfolio continue to resonate with customers around the globe, despite the market uncertainty that remains in many economies. We expect to finish the year in a strong position, and our presence at NBAA reflects our optimism.”
Notably, during the third quarter Beechcraft secured the largest general aviation propeller aircraft order in history valued at up to $1.4 billion to deliver up to 105 King Air 350i aircraft to Wheels Up. The company also celebrated the inaugural flight of its first production AT-6 light attack aircraft. The company is offering the aircraft to U.S. partner nations in need of light attack air support and expects to name a launch customer by the end of the year.
In other firsts, Beechcraft hosted the inaugural King Air Operators Conference in September. Nearly 200 King Air owners, operators and maintenance experts from around the world attend the event at the company’s headquarters in Wichita, Kan. The event included a variety of technical service and support presentations, safety briefings and aftermarket product offerings from the company and several of its equipment suppliers and authorized service centers.