Beechcraft has announced that Wheels Up has exercised its option to purchase the next 35 King Air 350i turboprops from its initial order placed in 2013. The additional aircraft will help expand the membership-based private aviation company’s fleet throughout the USA.
Wheels Up’s 2013 order encompassed up to 105 King Air 350i aircraft, including maintenance, service and support. Wheels Up has received 31 of its initial order of 35 King Air 350i aircraft. Deliveries of the additional 35 aircraft, which will be outfitted with the new Pro Line Fusion avionics system, are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2016. The private aviation company also has taken delivery of 10 factory-custom refurbished Cessna Citation Excel/XLS aircraft.
“I feel like we are just getting started,” said Kenny Dichter, Wheels Up’s founder and CEO. “Our current Wheels Up fleet plan calls for 175 King Air 350i and 50 Cessna Citation Excel/XLS by 2021, and we are exploring ways to incorporate additional Textron products onto the Wheels Up platform. Europe is an ideal market for the King Air 350i and remains a focus for future expansion for Wheels Up.”
The King Air 350i twin turboprop seats up to nine passengers. Wheels Up King Air 350i aircraft include wi-fi connectivity and a luxury lavatory vanity.
May 29, 2015
