Textron Aviation Wins 11-aircraft Order from Norway
The order calls for the first medevac-configured Latitude and 10 King Air 250s.
Textron Aviation has received an order from Babcock Scandinavian Air Ambulance for the first medevac-configured Cessna Citation Latitude and 10 Beechcraft King Air 250s. Deliveries of the aircraft, valued at $76 million based on list price, are scheduled throughout the next 18 months. Babcock will fly the jet and turboprops to support its contract with Air Ambulance Services of Norway, providing medevac support throughout the Scandinavian nation.
This announcement of the sale comes on the heels of the National Business Aviation Association's annual convention, where Textron Aviation marked the 100th delivery of the Latitude. Textron Aviation president and CEO Scott Ernest said the midsize-jet program continues to gain momentum as it enters new markets and is beginning to capture international interest.
Babcock's order also provides a boost for the King Air program. Deliveries in the first half of the year had been soft, but Rob Scholl, senior vice president of sales and marketing, noted that interest had remained strong and the company has had a pipeline of negotiations. “We continue to see a lot of activity on that fleet,” he said. “The King Air market is alive and well.”
The Babcock fleet will be equipped for operations in polar regions, have CAT II capability for operations in reduced visibility and also have steep-approach landing capability.