Cessna Aircraft plans to expand its network of “factory-owned, authorized service centers (ASCs)” to 15, by acquiring Jet Aviation’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Dusseldorf, Germany, and Zurich, Switzerland. Both facilities, which will represent the fifth and sixth such facilities in Europe, are currently independent Citation service centers. Signed yesterday and announced today, the purchase agreement is expected to be completed by year-end.
“Germany and Switzerland are strategically located where a majority of Citations in the region are based and we are enthusiastic about bringing more service options to our customers in Europe,” said Scott Ernest, president and CEO of Cessna. As Cessna factory-authorized ASCs, the Dusseldorf and Zurich MROs will offer customers the OEM’s ProAdvantage programs, which are designed to reduce customers’ maintenance costs.
Said Joe Hepburn, senior vice president of customer service at Cessna, “The high-quality operations [at Jet Aviation’s facilities in Zurich and Dusseldorf] are a superb fit with the service philosophy underpinning Cessna’s network of factory-operated service operations worldwide.”
According to a press release, all 180 Jet Aviation employees in the Dusseldorf MRO and 126 in the Zurich MRO will become employees of Cessna Aircraft Co (through Textron subsidiaries in Germany and Switzerland). Jet Aviation Dusseldorf and Zurich were founded in 1975 and 1969, respectively.
“Our MRO employees at these facilities have helped Jet Aviation build its reputation for outstanding service and professionalism among Cessna customers,” said Dan Clare, president of the Jet Aviation Group. “The acquisition by Cessna will provide the two MRO facilities and employees new opportunities as a strategic part of the Cessna support organization.”
Jet Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, plans to continue to operate its FBOs at both Dusseldorf and Zurich, as well as its MRO hubs in Basel, Switzerland, Dubai; Singapore; and St. Louis, Mo. It will also continue line maintenance service at key FBO locations around the world.
