[091217>EN.AIR] FedEx Takes 50 New Cessna Cargo Planes From Witchita's Textron

TEXTRON Aviation has unveiled a new Cessna cargo plane for small airlines that meanS more jobs in Wichita, Kansas.

Textron Aviation CEO Scott Ernest said he plans to manufacture the Cessna SkyCourier 408 in Wichita, where it will increase what he called its "extremely productive" factory workforce, reports the Witchita Eagle.

"I definitely think there will be an addition in direct, hourly" workers, Mr Ernest said.

FedEx will be the $5.5 million aircraft's first customer, he said. FedEx and Textron Aviation officials have signed the deal in Memphis for a firm order of 50 of the twin-turboprop with options for 50 more.

The SkyCourier is somewhat of a departure for Textron Aviation and its Cessna brand, which has focused its new products on the business aviation market over the past few years.

Since 2014 it has launched or announced plans for three new Citation business jets - Latitude, Longitude and Hemisphere - and the Denali single -engine turboprop, also aimed at the business aviation market.

Mr Ernest said the company took "a lot of the experience and relationship we had with FedEx over the last 20 years to look at what is their need going forward."

"This new airplane is at a place in the market they feel is going to be very beneficial to them," he said.

Textron Aviation also stands to benefit with potential orders from other air cargo companies, small airlines - especially in developing countries - and for special mission applications, such as by military forces.

Source : HKSG.