XOJet yesterday announced a $600 million order for 30 Citation Xs in an agreement with Cessna that will increase the charter operator’s fleet of the speedy business jets from 12 to 47 over the next three years.

XOJet’s growing Citation X fleet will increase to 17 airplanes by the end of the year. The first deliveries from the new order will start next year and continue through the end of 2010.

“We’re a fairly unique type of company in that we’ve built a much more efficient model by focusing on a single class of aircraft,” said Nicholas Solinger, chief strategy officer for XOJet. “The Citation X’s coast-to-coast performance, eight-passenger capacity and low operating costs have made it just the perfect product for the business traveler. It’s a really potent super-midsize aircraft because of its speed.”

The Citation X has a top speed of Mach 0.92 and a range of more than 3,000 nm. Solinger noted that the Citation X has a lower operating cost per hour than some smaller midsize jets with less range. He added that the airplane is also a good value for high-use flyers. The average XOjet customer, he said, has 200 to 300 hours on their contracts.

“The growth of private aviation is being fueled by a new type of traveler–executives who fly privately more than 100 hours a year,” said Paul Touw, president and CEO of XOJet. “Our business model was built to give these customers a better way to fly. Our commitment to the super-midsize category and the Citation X has helped fuel our rapid growth.” Solinger added, “Cessna is a great partner of ours, and they make an amazing product.”

Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton said it’s “great to know our Citation X jets have helped the company set a winning standard of service and performance.”
Based in California, XOJet is a Wyvern-approved, ARG/US Platinum-rated charter operator. The company was launched on Jan. 1, 2006.