Swift Air Order Launches Cessna Sovereign Program

Swift Air of Phoenix has launched Cessna's Citation Sovereign program with an order for six of the midsize business jets.

A purchase agreement between Swift, a long-time Citation operator, and Cessna was signed here on October 18. It is valued at $72 million based on list prices.

Swift also was the first customer to take delivery of the Citation Excel, in July 1998.

The Sovereign seats up to 10 passengers and has coast-to-coast range at over 400 kt. It has the largest cabin of any midsize jet, Cessna says. Maximum takeoff weight is about 30,000 pounds and takeoff field length is 4,080 feet. The aircraft can reach an initial cruise altitude of 41,000 feet in 20 minutes eastbound and 43,000 feet in 26 minutes westbound.

Swift currently operates four Citation Xs, one Excel, two Citation VIIs, a Citation VI and a Citation III. It has two more Citation Xs as well as another Excel on order.

By Paul Proctor