WICHITA, Kan. (April 14, 2016) – Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced it has enhanced its sales relationships with existing channel partners Africair Inc. and Absolute Aviation Group so that both now offer the complete Beechcraft and Cessna product lines throughout their territories in Africa. Africair has been a Cessna authorized sales representative for more than 40 years throughout central and northern sections of the region while Absolute Aviation has been a Beechcraft sales representative for Sub-Saharan Africa since 2011. In addition, Textron Aviation maintains its team of expert sales representatives positioned throughout the region to allow customers direct access to the company.
“The business aviation market in Africa continues to advance and Textron Aviation has a great opportunity to meet the continent’s growing transportation needs with the industry’s widest range of general aviation products,” said Kriya Shortt, senior vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Textron Aviation and our channel partners Africair and Absolute Aviation understand the importance and value of making it easy for our customers to interact with us. With this enhanced sales structure in Africa, we have two great partners we can rely on to represent the Beechcraft and Cessna brands with professionalism, expertise and excellent customer care.”
Africair has been an authorized sales representative for Cessna since 1973. The company is adding Beechcraft pistons, including the Bonanza and Baron, as well as the King Air turboprop family of aircraft to its offering.
Absolute Aviation became the Beechcraft sales representative for Sub-Saharan Africa in 2011. In 2015, Absolute Aviation acquired the long-time Cessna sales representative in Southern Africa, Comair, thereby adding Cessna pistons, Caravan turboprops and Citation business jets to its portfolio. Absolute Aviation, which operates from the Lanseria International Airport near Johannesburg, South Africa, also offers full service support for the Cessna product range.
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About Textron Aviation Inc.
Textron Aviation Inc. is the leading general aviation authority and home to the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands, which account for more than half of all general aviation aircraft flying. The Textron Aviation companies include Cessna Aircraft Company and Beechcraft Corporation, bringing together decades of unmatched experience in designing, building and supporting airplanes. It provides the most versatile and comprehensive general aviation product portfolio in the world through five principal lines of business: business jets, general aviation and special mission turboprop aircraft, high performance piston aircraft, military trainer and defense aircraft, and a complete global customer service organization. Its broad range of products include such best-selling aircraft as Citation and Hawker business jets, King Air and Caravan turboprops and T-6 military trainer aircraft, all of which are backed by the industry’s most capable global service network. For more information, visit txtav.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information visit: www.textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of commercial products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; volatility in interest rates or foreign exchange rates; risks related to our international business, including relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries.
