ONE TO ONE CESSNA ment sales at this point with a largely stable population of aircraft. I do see continued growth in the Canada, EU and Eastern Europe and Russia in happier economic times. The Middle East also offers growth potential. Brazil remains, and will continue to remain, one of our most significant export markets outside the EU. In terms of Asia, we continue to believe that the market represents considerable promise for the future. The market will be dominated by India and China, and in both cases infrastructure, regulatory easing and cost (whether it be import taxes or cost of operation or both) remain impediments to growth in both countries, although India seems (in my opinion) to offer the more immediate market in the short to medium term. Japan is again a small but growing market, but the current economic situation in Japan would seem to indicate some very tough trading conditions going forward. At this time, Australia remains our largest single market in the area, although Malaysia has shown considerable growth these last two to three years. SP’s: What role does trainer aircraft business play in terms of Cessna’s overall programmes? What are its growth potentials? Esling: It is true to say that the market for business aircraft in the Far East has largely been founded on the special missions environment for our products, be it either specialised trainers (like the CV’s with Korean Air lines) or the Flight inspection aircraft we have delivered in China and Korea for instance. We have secured a number of trainer aircraft sales internationally, although these sales are not in the public domain at this point. In our product line the CJ1+ and the Mustang are the main areas of interest for trainer aircraft. SP’s: Which of Cessna’s aircraft/programmes have been the most successful around the world? Esling: I would say the Mustang, CJ2/3, XLS+ and Sovereign are our most successful models. In India for instance the CJ2+ and XLS+ do everything that is required in the market offering an all India capability in either a light or mid sized jet cabin. Certainly the XLS+ and Sovereign have been good sellers in all major international markets e.g. Canada, Brazil, the EU and Middle East. I think in all three cases, the aircraft I have highlighted offer the best balance of price, cabin size and performance in their respective market niche. SP’s: How is the VLJ programme, Mustang to be precise, moving in terms of response from the global corporate aviation market? Esling: Our Mustang order book has held up well in the current economic climate. We have some 125 slated for delivery in 2009. I think the aircraft offers excellent value for money ($2.9 million approximately in 2009), and obviously if you 16
SP’S AVIATION
Issue 2 • 2009
still want to fly, but want to do this cheaply, there is nothing better than the Mustang. Some 70 per cent of our deliveries are currently going outside the USA, with the EU the largest single market with Brazil second. BY POPULAR DEMAND: CUSTOMERS INSPECT THE MUSTANG DURING MEBAA 2008 IN DUBAI
SP’s: Recently, there has been some debate that business jets are more for luxury and less for
effective business needs. What arguments would Cessna offer to counter such perceptions? Esling: There has been considerable discussion on this point over the last few months in the USA. This follows the “TARP” issue for the automobile OEMs and then the banks. As you may be aware Cessna has launched a high profile advertising campaign to support the benefits of business aviation. We continue to believe that the majority of our owners use their aircraft to support their business and to make more Cessna has effective and efficient use launched of their time to support and a high profile grow their businesses. We will advertising continue to communicate the benefits of business aviation campaign to to the market, and that the support the ownership of a business jet has a profound effect on the efficiency of a business and its We owners. We are sure that the NBAA mantra of “no plane, no will continue to gain” is still as valid today as it communicate the was when it was first launched benefits of business about a decade ago.
benefits of business aviation... aviation to the market.
SP’s: Cessna is firmly established in corporate and general aviation programmes. Can you elaborate on the www.spsaviation.net