CJI London: Textron is ‘committed to innovation’

Textron Aviation is “committed to innovation” – both for new aircraft designs and the management of existing types – the company’s Duncan Van De Velde, vice president of European Sales told our London conference last month.

“First of all, they [European customers] are looking for innovation,” he said. “It’s the key … that drives us and our new customers. They have an expectation when it comes to technology and we are very proud of all the innovations we bring to the market.”

Guiding the company to deliver that innovation is its Cessna Customer Advisory Board. Convened by the manufacturer, this group of Cessna/Textron aircraft customers and industry users provides feedback and strategic input on the OEM’s current products and services and how they would like to see them develop.

Innovation shaped by the advisory board includes the Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 cockpit Garmin Autothrottle Technology designed to cut pilot workload and improve safety and the improved Garmin G3000 avionics suite. Plus, the flat floor design on the Cessna Citation Ascend was also suggested by customers.

“Every model is a better version of the previous one – that’s something we are very proud of,” said Van De Velde.

Customer support

Innovation is not confined to new designs for Textron aircraft. The board has also contributed to improved customer support, analytics and maintenance practices, according to the OEM. Progress on predictive maintenance is also playing an increasing role in managing aircraft systems to minimise aircraft-on-ground (AoG) events.

“We are improving maintenance cycles using predictive maintenance, making it easier to operate aircraft,” said Van De Velde. Innovation is also designed to improve passengers’ experience by like lowering noise levels and enhancing in-flight connectivity.

Shaped by customer feedback, Textron has also invested significantly in its support services, he said. “Long-term investment is super important [to our clients], so, we spend a lot of resources on the support side, on the support network,” he said. Textron operates six service centres in Europe to ensure its customers “know and feel that they are truly supported”. Critically important is to ensure access to “the right parts, at the right place, at the right moment and also at the right price”.

Aircraft demand and access to a widespread service network influences the receivable value of Textron aircraft, according to the manufacturer. “Our receivable value is pretty stable and predictable,” says Van De Velde. “It’s something that our customers, and typically European customers, are looking for. And, of course, another topic remains sustainability.” For example, the manufacturer’s plants in Wichita, Kansas are powered by wind energy.

‘A solid year’

Meanwhile, Textron Aviation’s commitment to innovation in aircraft design appears to be powering aircraft sales. Last year the company sold 171 jet aircraft and nearly 150 turboprops adding up to what Van De Velde described as “a solid year, a good year”.

The nature of that strength was revealed in the company’s full-year 2025 results, which saw a 13% year-over-year jump in revenues to reach $5.95bn – driven partly by better volumes and strong utilisation leading to improved aftermarket revenues.

The OEM’s fourth-quarter 2025 revenue was up by 36% over the year to reach $1.7bn. This reflected higher aircraft revenues of $400m and higher aftermarket parts and service revenues of $67m.

The company is forecasting 2026 revenues of $6.5bn, representing growth of about 9% compared with last year.