Platoon Aviation’s Fleet Will Expand Charter Operations to Become Europe’s Largest Cessna Citation Longitude Fleet
27.5.2026 12:00:00 CEST | Business Wire | Press release
Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced it has entered into a multi-aircraft fleet purchase agreement with Platoon Aviation that positions the Hamburg-based charter operator to become the largest Cessna Citation Longitude fleet owner in Europe. Platoon Aviation provides on-demand private jet travel, serving business and leisure travelers seeking long-range capability, cabin comfort and operational reliability. Deliveries of the Citation Longitude aircraft are expected to begin in 2027.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260527805306/en/

Platoon Aviation’s fleet will expand charter operations to become Europe’s largest Cessna Citation Longitude fleet. (Photo credit: Textron Aviation)
“From performance and cabin experience to the strength of our global support network, the Citation Longitude provides charter operators with the confidence to grow their fleets and serve customers at the highest level,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing, Textron Aviation. “This agreement with Platoon Aviation underscores the Longitude’s leadership in the super-midsize segment and the trust customers place in Cessna and our team.”
As the flagship of the Citation family, the Citation Longitude is designed around the needs of both pilots and passengers, delivering advanced avionics, efficient operating economics and a refined in-flight experience. The business jet is well suited for European charter operations, offering the range and performance to connect key business corridors nonstop, including routes such as Hamburg to Madrid and London to Athens. The aircraft features the quietest cabin in the super-midsize class, a flat-floor stand-up cabin measuring 1.83 meters, seating for up to 12 passengers and class-leading legroom.
“Platoon Aviation is redefining what business aviation can look like in the next decade,” said Deniz Weißenborn, CEO, Platoon Aviation. “The Citation Longitude fleet expansion reflects our commitment to building a future-proof, next-generation aviation platform that combines operational efficiency, sustainability and uncompromising comfort. The aircraft position us to meet the evolving expectations of modern travelers while giving our clients greater flexibility, reliability and connectivity across Europe and beyond.”
Textron Aviation delivers comprehensive global aftermarket service and support for Cessna and Beechcraft customers, providing complete life-cycle support wherever aircraft operate. For an expanding European charter operator like Platoon Aviation, this support is enabled by a strong regional footprint that includes five company-owned service centers, a network of Authorized Service Facilities (ASFs) and mobile service support teams, ensuring responsive, expert care across the region. European operators also benefit from the company’s European Parts Distribution Center (EUDC), providing fast shipping, reliable access to genuine parts and dedicated in-region support. Backed by 24/7 Aircraft-on-Ground (AOG) assistance, this integrated support network helps Platoon Aviation maximize fleet availability and maintain the high utilization required to reliably serve customers across Europe.
About the Cessna Citation Longitude
With a range of 6,482 kilometers (3,500 nautical miles) and full fuel payload of 726 kilograms (1,600 pounds), the Citation Longitude offers customers a low cabin altitude (1,509 meters / 4,950 feet) at 12,500 meters/ 41,000 feet, more standard features and a comfortable, bespoke interior. The aircraft features fully berthable seats and a spacious walk-in baggage compartment that is accessible throughout the flight. The spacious cockpit incorporates easier access and an ergonomic design that fully focuses on crew comfort and efficiency.
The clean-sheet design of the Longitude integrates the latest technology throughout the aircraft, bringing customers the lowest direct operating cost in its class. Powered by FADEC-equipped Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines, the Longitude combines on-condition engine overhaul periods to best-in-class airframe inspection intervals of 18 months and 800 hours. Textron Aviation's full-time diagnostics recording system (LinxUs) and 3D Technical Publications leverage advanced technology to reduce maintenance downtime and overall costs to operation.
For more information about the Citation Longitude, visit https://cessna.txtav.com/en/citation/longitude.
About Textron Aviation Inc.
We have been inspiring the journey of flight for nearly 100 years. Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna, Hawker and Pipistrel brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, light and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense aircraft, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable, productive and flexible flight. For more information, visit www.txtav.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260527805306/en/

Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
ICC Arbitral Tribunal Issues Quantum Award for AOP Health in BESREMi® Proceedings7.8.2026 19:48:00 CEST | Press release
An ICC Arbitral Tribunal has awarded AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals GmbH (“AOP Health”) a total of about EUR 112 Mio in a quantum award issued in the ongoing arbitration proceedings with PharmaEssentia Corp. (“PharmaEssentia”) concerning BESREMi® (ropeginterferon alfa-2b). The award quantifies AOP Health’s damage claims for PharmaEssentia’s intentional breaches at ca. EUR 82 Mio. It also awards AOP Health ca. EUR 31 Mio plus interest as reimbursement for AOP Health overpayments made to PharmaEssentia as a result of excessive pricing in the years 2019-2022. The Tribunal thereby confirmed that PharmaEssentia has been overcharging AOP Health by up to 900% over these years. The Tribunal affirmed AOP Health's valid set-off of the profit-sharing payments amount owed to PharmaEssentia of approximately EUR 17 Mio against AOP Health's substantially exceeding damages claims. This means that AOP Health shall not make any payment to PharmaEssentia. Interest on AOP Health’s claims will continue to accr
Coulson Aviation Canada Acquires 10 Former RCAF Hercules, Doubling C-130H Fleet7.8.2026 19:16:00 CEST | Press release
Canadian-led expansion will build the world’s largest and most capable C-130 airtanker fleet Coulson Aviation Canada, the Canadian division of Coulson Aviation, has acquired 10 former Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130H Hercules aircraft from the Government of Canada. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260807019094/en/ Britton Coulson, left, and Wayne Coulson stand in front of one of 10 former Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130H Hercules aircraft recently acquired by Coulson Aviation from the Government of Canada. At right is a Coulson C-130H outfitted for aerial firefighting with the company’s proprietary RADS-XXL retardant delivery system, capable of carrying up to 4,000 U.S. gallons, or more than 15,000 litres, of water or fire retardant. The acquisition doubles Coulson’s global C-130H fleet to 20 aircraft, expanding its capacity to build the world’s largest C-130 airtanker fleet. The acquisition doubles Coulson’s g
Energy Vault Announces Strategic Agreement to Deploy 1.25 GW of Integrated Power Infrastructure for Hyperscaler AI Data Center with Leading Power Generation EPC Deploying Caterpillar Gensets7.8.2026 18:16:00 CEST | Press release
Partnership combines Energy Vault's FEOC-compliant BESS, grid-forming PCS, and AI infrastructure control software with partner’s turnkey power generation, Caterpillar gensets and EPC capabilitiesReference architecture delivers firm grid-independent power, essential grid stabilization and load balancing to deliver modular, scalable, gigawatt-scale AI campuses with "always-on" availabilitySecond strategic framework agreement together advances Energy Vault's AI infrastructure strategy and establishes a repeatable “speed-to-power” deployment platformInitial 1.25 GW is backed by a hyperscaler customer contract for deployment in TexasEnergy Vault expects a revenue impact of ~$500 - $600 million in 2H 2026 and 2027, which will be discussed during the upcoming earnings call on August 11, 2026 Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NRGV) ("Energy Vault"), a global leader in sustainable energy infrastructure, today announced the execution of a strategic commercial agreement under which Energy Vault
SES Advances Next-generation MEO Strategy Following Successful Completion of IRIS² Rendez-vous 17.8.2026 10:52:00 CEST | Press release
IRIS² expands SES's differentiated MEO architecture while supporting Europe's secure, sovereign multi-orbit connectivity ambitions SES today announced the successful completion of Rendez-vous 1 (RDV1) under the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²) programme, marking a key milestone in the programme's implementation phase and reinforcing Europe's path towards sovereign, resilient and secure satellite connectivity. The successful completion of RDV1 confirms the programme's readiness to move forward with implementation and provides greater visibility on the long-term scope, performance and economics of the MEO segment. SES's expected capital commitment for the MEO segment is up to €1.35 billion, reflecting current programme scope, while maintaining the deployment of 18 MEO satellites and the targeted service entry in 2030. SES’s share of the investment in the IRIS² programme for 2026 is included in SES’s FY26 Capex outlook as previously commun
Allianz Delivers Record Result and Is Well on Track to Achieve Its Targets7.8.2026 07:10:00 CEST | Press release
2Q 2026 This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260806509750/en/ Oliver Bäte, Chief Executive Officer of Allianz SETotal business volume at 45.6 billion euros, an internal growth of 5.7 percent1, with contributions from all segments. Asset Management delivers excellent growth. Operating profit rises 10.6 percent to a record level of 4.9 billion euros. Shareholders’ core net income at 2.6 billion euros; 12.7 percent below last year. Adjusted for a divestment gain last year and offsetting measures following the sale of the stake in our Indian JVs, underlying growth is strong at 10 percent. 6M 2026Total business volume at 98.6 billion euros, an internal growth of 4.3 percent1, driven by Property-Casualty and especially Asset Management. Operating profit rises 8.6 percent and reaches a record level of 9.4 billion euros. Shareholders’ core net income advances 15.5 percent to 6.4 billion euros. Adjusted for divestment effec
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom