First Cessna Citation Longitude Delivered to Central America, Expanding Global Fleet
Textron Aviation Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc. , has reached a significant milestone in its global expansion with the first-ever delivery of its flagship super-midsize business jet, the Cessna Citation Longitude, into Central America. This delivery not only underscores the growing demand for advanced business aviation solutions in the region but also highlights Textron Aviation’s ongoing commitment to serving a diverse and increasingly mobile customer base.
The aircraft was delivered to a long-standing Citation customer based in Costa Rica, who plans to utilize the Longitude for both business and personal travel. The aircraft’s arrival marks a strategic enhancement to the region’s aviation capabilities, as the Citation Longitude offers unmatched versatility, speed, and range in its class.
A New Chapter in Central American Business Aviation
This delivery represents a new chapter in the growth of Textron Aviation’s presence in Latin America. Over the past several decades, the Cessna brand has become deeply rooted in the region, with more than 100 Cessna turbine aircraft currently operating throughout Central America. Of these, over 30 are Cessna Citation business jets, a testament to the brand’s enduring reliability, performance, and customer trust.
Now, with the Citation Longitude joining the regional fleet, Textron Aviation is setting a new standard in super-midsize jet travel—bringing with it a platform that combines exceptional performance, pilot-centric features, passenger comfort, and technological sophistication.
The Superiority of the Citation Longitude
The Citation Longitude is Textron Aviation’s flagship business jet, engineered to deliver high performance, long-range capability, and an elevated level of comfort for passengers and pilots alike. This aircraft offers a maximum range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,482 kilometers) and can cruise at speeds up to Mach 0.84, enabling seamless non-stop travel between key city pairs across the Americas.
Marcelo Moreira, Vice President of Sales for Latin America at Textron Aviation, emphasized the transformative potential of the Longitude for regional customers.
“The Citation Longitude is a game-changer for customers,” said Moreira. “Its extended range and outstanding speed enable customers to travel farther with ease, ensuring smooth and convenient journeys. Whether flying for business or personal use, this flagship jet is a perfect solution for the evolving travel needs of our Central American customers.”
With its spacious, quiet cabin and advanced avionics, the Longitude has been purpose-built to meet the needs of discerning travelers who demand both productivity and relaxation in the skies.
A Commitment to Pilot Experience and Passenger Luxury
What truly sets the Citation Longitude apart in the super-midsize segment is its balanced focus on the pilot experience, passenger comfort, and operational efficiency.
For pilots, the aircraft features a next-generation Garmin G5000 avionics suite, designed to streamline workflows, enhance situational awareness, and reduce pilot workload. The flight deck includes synthetic vision, advanced autopilot functions, and intuitive touch-screen controls, contributing to safer and more enjoyable operations.
Passengers benefit from the quietest cabin in its class, a hallmark of Cessna design. The cabin is configured to accommodate up to 12 passengers and features fully lie-flat seating, a class-leading cabin height of 6 feet, and customizable interiors. A low cabin altitude of 5,950 feet at FL450 helps reduce passenger fatigue on long-haul flights, while onboard Wi-Fi, a digital cabin management system, and generous in-flight connectivity options allow travelers to stay connected and productive throughout their journey.
The Citation Longitude also offers one of the most generous baggage compartments in the segment, with internal and external baggage access, ensuring convenience whether flying for business or leisure.
Ideal for Regional Connectivity
With increasing demand for fast, flexible, and efficient air travel across Latin America, the Citation Longitude is uniquely suited to connect major business and leisure destinations throughout the region and beyond. The aircraft’s 3,500-nautical-mile range opens up an array of city pairs without the need for refueling stops.
Some examples of notable route possibilities from Central America include:
- San José, Costa Rica to Buenos Aires, Argentina – a key economic and diplomatic route connecting Central and South America.
- Tegucigalpa, Honduras to São Paulo, Brazil – linking two major urban and commercial centers.
These capabilities translate to real-world time savings and improved productivity for business travelers, while also offering luxurious convenience for those traveling for leisure.
Textron Aviation’s Strong Footprint in Latin America
The delivery of the Citation Longitude into Central America is the latest in a series of strategic moves by Textron Aviation to expand its footprint and better support its customers across Latin America. The company has invested significantly in sales and support infrastructure, including authorized service centers, maintenance training, and mobile service units tailored to the needs of the regional customer base.
Textron Aviation’s customer service network includes locations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America, with dedicated resources to ensure that aircraft operating in the region receive top-tier maintenance and support.
Additionally, Textron Aviation has cultivated long-term relationships with operators, fleet owners, and individual buyers across the continent, many of whom are repeat customers due to the dependability and performance of Cessna aircraft.
Business Aviation Growth in Central America
Business aviation is undergoing a transformation in Central America, driven by an expanding middle class, increased cross-border commerce, and a rising number of multinational companies establishing regional offices. The region’s geography and infrastructure challenges—including limited commercial airline routes and time-consuming ground travel—make private aviation an increasingly attractive option.
Textron Aviation’s latest delivery aligns with this growth trend and positions the company as a vital partner for regional businesses and high-net-worth individuals seeking to optimize their travel schedules and expand their operational reach.
With governments investing in airport infrastructure and more business hubs emerging in countries such as Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, and Honduras, demand for super-midsize jets like the Citation Longitude is expected to rise steadily over the coming years.