Cessna to stop producing CJ1+

Cessna Aircraft will cease production of its Citation CJ1+ light jet later this year, the company said Friday.

Cessna delivered three aircraft last year, down from 14 in 2009 and 20 in 2008.

Only two are scheduled for delivery this year, Cessna spokesman Bob Stangarone said in an e-mail.

The final CJ1+ aircraft is scheduled for delivery in September.

"As a result of reduced customer demand and as part of Cessna's previously announced production reductions, production of the CJ1+ has been limited over the past few years," he said.

Production of the Citation CJ2 Plus, CJ3 and CJ4 continues.

The $5.15 million CJ1+ fills the niche between Cessna's Citation Mustang and the CJ2+.

Stangarone declined to say what Cessna may do to fill the gap.

"While there may be some public speculation about new products for this market segment, as a matter of policy, we will not confirm nor deny rumors about new models," he said.

The company will announce new products when the time is right, Stangarone said.

The CJ1+ came from the CitationJet, the first step up the ladder in Citation aircraft. It was introduced as the CJ1 in 1998 at the National Business Aviation Association convention. It was redesignated the CJ1+, with improvements to the engines and avionics, in 2004.

The plane has a speed of 448 mph and can carry eight people.

This story was originally published March 19, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Cessna to stop producing CJ1+."