Cessna Aircraft announced a 10-aircraft order for float-equipped Grand Caravan EXs today at ABACE 2014 from Beijing-based Reignwood Group for tourism services in China. The company agreed to acquire the amphibian turboprop singles through the Cessna-Avic Shijiazhuang facility, which has been assembling Cessna Caravans for the Chinese market since late last year.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) granted approval for the Cessna Grand Caravan EX to operate on floats in China in March. “The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is incredibly durable and versatile, exactly what Reignwood was looking for to fit the missions it is planning,” said Bill Harris, Cessna vice president of sales for Asia and Asia-Pacific. Sales of both wheeled and amphibious Caravans in the Asia-Pacific region have been “strong,” he said.

Cessna-Avic Aircraft Shijiazhuang is in its first year of operations and has been delivering Caravans to customers in China since the fourth quarter of last year. The joint venture was formed in 2012 with China Aviation Industry General Aircraft, a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China. The joint venture officially began operating when its business license was approved in September.