Cessna Aircraft Company,announced today at the 2008 Middle East Business Aviation show (MEBA) in Dubai that some 10 percent of orders for its new large cabin business jet, the Citation Columbus, have come from the Middle East.

Cessna launched the Columbus program earlier this year and holds more than 70 orders for the aircraft, priced at $27 million (2008 price). Wallan Aviation, Cessna’s authorized sales representative in the Middle East, has already resold its initial order of three Columbus aircraft and has placed a follow on order for three additional units.

The Citation Columbus is expected to gain full certification in 2013 and enter service in 2014. It is expected to be the only aircraft in its class capable of 4,000 nautical miles (7,408 kilometers) non-stop at Mach .80. Preliminary performance numbers set a maximum cruise speed of 488 knots (904 kilometers per hour, Mach .85), a maximum operating speed of Mach .86, a full fuel payload of 1,950 pounds (886 kilograms) and takeoff field length of 5,400 feet (1,646 meters) at maximum takeoff weight.

Cessna Aircraft Company also announced order of a Citation Sovereign business jet by Arab Wings of Jordan. The aircraft is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2009. A second Citation Sovereign has been already delivered to Prestige Jet of Abu Dhabi. The company is also evaluating the possibility of adding a third Citation Sovereign to its fleet.

Cessna has recently delivered the first of two Citation Mustangs to new air charter operator Open Sky Aviation of Lebanon.