Cessna Aircraft announced a flurry of orders at the 2008 Middle East Business Aviation show (MEBA) in Dubai. Some 10 percent of orders for its new large cabin business jet, the Citation Columbus, have come from the region. Wallan Aviation, Cessna’s authorized sales representative in the Middle East, has already resold its initial order of three Columbus aircraft and has placed a follow on order for three additional units.

Cessna Aircraft Company is partnering with Cessna Finance Corporation on a special program for Citation Mustang buyers. These customers are eligible to lease a Cessna 400 during the time between order and delivery of their new Mustang with no purchase obligation for the Cessna 400.

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius joined Cessna Aircraft Company Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton to celebrate the start of construction of the company’s new Wichita Citation Columbus design and assembly facility. Cessna announced it will build the assembly facility at its Mid-Continent facility in April following approval by the Kansas Legislature of a new incentive measure designed to keep and attract new business.

The Customer Services team at Cessna Aircraft Company has named Wallan Aviation in Riyadh as an Authorized Citation Service Center for the Middle East. The certification for Wallan, a long-time Cessna Authorized Sales Representative, applies to all 500-series Citations.

Cessna Aircraft Company announced an order for one Citation X to Atron, Cessna's Authorized Sales Representative in Ireland for an unnamed European customer.

Cessna Aircraft Company unveiled a new Citation Columbus concept mock-up reflecting progress to date and two years of research into customer preferences on the opening day of the National Business Aviation Association Meeting and Convention.