Senior Editor

Jerry Siebenmark

Textron Aviation has ended production of its Cessna Citation Sovereign+ midsize business jet and Beechcraft King Air C90 GTx twin-turboprop, the OEM confirmed to AIN today. Demand for both airplanes had slipped in recent years while Textron Aviation noted its action was based on a continuous alignment of product offerings with current and future market demand.
“Both aircraft have been valued members of legendary product lineups for decades,” the company said. The models will continue to be supported by Textron Aviation’s service centers and parts operation.
The 2019 certification of the super-midsize Citation Longitude, as well as the earlier 2015 entry-into-service of the midsize Citation Latitude, presented “the opportunity to minimize overlap within this customer segment” by ceasing Sovereign production, the company added.
The Model 680 Sovereign featured a stretched Excel fuselage and a new wing and entered service in 2004. Since then, Textron Aviation has delivered 349 Sovereigns and 94 Sovereign+s. It was upgraded to the plus variant in 2012 with FAA type certification and first delivery occurring the following year. In the past four years, annual deliveries of the Sovereign+ had slipped to the single digits, with only the now out-of-production Mustang and X+ recording fewer deliveries, according to figures from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
&nbsp;
<figure style="margin:0;">
<div style="margin-bottom:5px;"><img alt="Beechcraft King Air C90 GTx" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4947e96d-0814-4203-954b-0420f139c80b" src="/sites/default/files/king-air-c90gtx_1.jpg" width="2100" height="1318" loading="lazy"></div>
<figcaption style="font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-style:italic;">Textron Aviation called the C90 "a pioneer of the King Air family." (Photo: Textron Aviation)</figcaption>
</figure>
&nbsp;
A “pioneer of the King Air family,” the C90 was a derivative of the Queen Air and in 1964, the 65-90&nbsp;was the first King Air 90 series variant to be delivered. Between 2004 and 2009, the C90 received a series of three upgrades—GT, GTi, and GTx—with the last refresh in 2015 adding Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics to its flight deck. In all, 2,178&nbsp;variants of the King Air 90 series—including A and B models—have been delivered.&nbsp;Last year, the Wichita airframer announced the King Air <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-12-02/textron-aviation-announces-another-king-air-refresh">260</a> and <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-08-04/textron-aviation-launches-new-flagship-king-airs">360/360ER</a>. GAMA figures showed C90GTx deliveries in the past five years representing a fraction of its larger siblings.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Textron Aviation's King Air 90, Citation Sovereign End Their Rule

Waning demand and new models and variants prompt Textron Aviation to end the production runs of the King Air C90 GTx and Citation Sovereign+.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Remotely piloted flights will start in 2025 as manufacturer works towards service entry in the 2030s

Textron Will Flight Test Nexus eVTOL Aircraft at Salina 

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

After two years in stealth mode, the Miami start-up says it can start deliveries in two years

Sea Cheetah To Reveal Hydrogen-powered Wing-in-ground-effect Vessel

AmyWilder

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

IADA plans to present Q3 insights on October 21

IADA To Make its Mark at 2024 NBAA-BACE

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Aircraft

Textron Will Flight Test Nexus eVTOL Aircraft at Salina

Remotely piloted flights will start in 2025 as manufacturer works towards service entry in the 2030s

Sea Cheetah To Reveal Hydrogen-powered Wing-in-ground-effect Vessel

After two years in stealth mode, the Miami start-up says it can start deliveries in two years

IADA To Make its Mark at 2024 NBAA-BACE

IADA plans to present Q3 insights on October 21

UP.Summit 2024 Celebrates Mobility Technology

Ideas abound when 300 creators and innovators join together

Argus: Bizav Traffic Continues in 'Status Quo'

Global bizav flights were down 0.3% in September

Expert Opinion: OEM Covid Catch-up Remains Elusive

In the Covid aftermath, labor disputes compound labor shortages

Gulfstream G300 Launch Could Be Nearing

Derivative model expected to enter service as early as 2026

Reports: Gulfstream G700 Deliveries Lag by a Dozen in Q3

Manufacturer has not commented on reported numbers, citing financial quiet period at its parent General Dynamics

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN