Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Hawker Beechcraft Expands in Europe with New Sales Office in Vienna

WICHITA, Kan. (Nov. 14, 2008) – To satisfy demand for new products like the Hawker 4000 and Hawker 750, Hawker Beechcraft is proud to announce its newest international sales office in Vienna, Austria. Located on the prestigious Ringstraße in the heart of Vienna’s business and tourism district, the new sales office will provide a permanent location for the Hawker Beechcraft sales team to serve its European customers. The Vienna office will be overseen by Byron Severson, regional sales director of Hawker aircraft, Central and Eastern Europe, who has been in Vienna since January.

“Demand for our aircraft in Europe is growing, and the new sales office in Vienna will not only help meet the customer demand but also expand our presence in the region,” said Sean McGeough, vice president, International Sales. “For years, Vienna has been the hub of Eastern European commerce, and positioning our new sales office in this niche location allows us to further augment Hawker Beechcraft’s international sales team growth.”

In recent years the company’s overall international activity has increased significantly.

“With nearly 65 percent of our new commercial aircraft bookings coming from the international region, we have reorganized and expanded our sales team over the past year to respond to the growing demands for business aircraft,” said Brad Hatt, president, Commercial Sales. “We’re excited about the new location in Vienna as well as the experience Byron will bring to the progress taking place in Eastern Europe.”
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special-mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with the largest number of factory-owned service centers and a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.

Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Company, LLC Reports Third Quarter 2008 Results

WICHITA, Kan. (Nov. 4, 2008) – Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Company, LLC (HBAC) reported lower sales and operating income during the three months ending Sept. 28, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007 primarily resulting from a four-week strike in August by the International Association of Machinists (IAM).
Net sales for the three months ending Sept. 28, 2008, were $783.3 million, a decrease of $87.7 million compared to the third quarter of 2007. Aircraft deliveries were significantly impacted by the strike. During the quarter, the Company delivered 86 business and general aviation aircraft consisting of 34 jet, 33 turboprop and 19 piston aircraft, as compared to the 106 aircraft during the same period in 2007.
During the three months ending Sept. 28, 2008, the Company recorded operating income of $15.3 million, compared to an operating income of $62.1 million during the third quarter of 2007. The strike resulted in lower business and general aviation aircraft deliveries and reduced production in the Company’s trainer segment, impacting overall operating income. Also included in the third quarter 2008 results was a $25.3 million charge associated with increased costs to conform specific early-production Hawker 4000 units to the final type design and to establish standard production processes.
Operating cash flow consumed during the nine months ending Sept. 28, 2008, was $159.7 million. This is primarily due to an increase in material receipts to support an increase in production rates coupled with reduced aircraft deliveries during the period as a result of the strike.
Net bookings for the three months ending Sept. 28, 2008, totaled $1.2 billion, resulting in a record backlog of $7.9 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2008.
“This was a difficult quarter as the reduced aircraft deliveries impacted our financial results significantly,” said Jim Schuster, chairman and CEO of Hawker Beechcraft Corporation. “We are also closely monitoring global economic conditions to assess the impact on our industry. Going forward, we will be proactive in responding to the evolving economic realities while continuing to provide the industry’s best products, services and support.”
In response to the weakness in the global economy and overall economic outlook, HBC informed employees on Oct. 31, 2008, that reductions in workforce would be required as adjustments are made to aircraft production rates. The change in aircraft production reflects anticipation of reduced demand for new aircraft, spares and maintenance services. The financial impact resulting from the planned reductions is not anticipated to be significant.
Financial and other information for the three months ending Sept. 28, 2008, is available on the Company’s Web site at www.hawkerbeechcraft.com. An earnings call will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, at 9 a.m. CDT.
Earnings Conference Call:
HBAC’s earnings results conference call for the three months ending Sept. 28, 2008, will be held Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, at 9 a.m. CDT. To attend, register at https://cossprereg.btci.com/prereg/key.process?key=PUJRU46YP.
Once you register, you will be provided with dial-in numbers and pass codes needed to join the conference call. A recording of the earnings call will be posted to the Company’s Web site on the afternoon of Nov. 11, 2008, and will be available for 45 days.
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special-mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with the largest number of factory-owned service centers and a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation to Display Popular Business Aircraft at MEBA

DUBAI, U.A.E. (Nov. 14, 2008) – As Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) continues to experience growing sales in the Middle East, the company announces it will display its popular aircraft at this year’s Middle East Business Association (MEBA) Airport Expo.

“The Middle East is one of the world’s fastest-growing regions for business aviation and very important for Hawker Beechcraft in terms of business turbine aircraft sales,” said Sean McGeough, HBC vice president, International Sales. “Our aircraft are extremely well received in the region and our customers are benefiting from the conveniently located Hawker Beechcraft sales office in Dubai. We anticipate a busy show at MEBA and look forward to showing our outstanding aircraft.”

A number of factors contribute to general aviation’s growth in the region, including widespread recognition and acceptance of business aircraft as business tools, as well as the emergence of wealth creation through entrepreneurship. Dubai and Bahrain are positioned as major financial hubs in the region, making travel a necessity in today’s world. Business leaders and executives are recognizing the productivity benefits, flexibility and convenience to be gained through private aviation. Hawker Beechcraft manufactures one of the broadest aircraft lineups in the industry, offering aircraft suited for multiple missions including intra-regional and intercontinental, business or leisure travel.

“Our aircraft allow people to travel more efficiently for business or leisure purposes, offering exceptional payload capability, cabin size, range and reliability,” said Ted Farid, HBC vice president, New Business Development. “Our Hawker 400XP for instance is excellent for conducting business within the region such as Bahrain to Dubai, whereas our King Air 350 provides outstanding operating costs and flexibility in the Middle East and Gulf with shorter runways and unimproved landing strips.”

Hawker Beechcraft plans to display an impressive exhibit at MEBA 2008. The company will showcase five of its aircraft, which include:

• Hawker 4000 – The flagship of the Hawker line, the Hawker 4000 is the ideal aircraft for European travel from the Middle East. The composite-fuselage Hawker 4000 is the most advanced super-midsize business jet in the world. It truly sets the standard for quality, performance and value in the super-midsize business jet class of aircraft.
• Hawker 900XP – From the world’s best selling midsized business jet lineage (the Hawker 800 series), the Hawker 900XP offers Middle East businesses and individuals a one-stop solution to Europe. The Hawker 900XP has combined new Honeywell engines with enhanced winglets and a large cabin for increased performance, range, efficiency, comfort and unprecedented value.
• Hawker 400XP – The Hawker 400XP is the ultimate aircraft for traveling within the region, such as Bahrain to Dubai. With the largest cabin of any comparable aircraft, this aircraft is the preferred light jet for the fractional market and corporations worldwide. The Hawker 400XP is the fastest light business jet of its class and the world’s best light jet value.
• Beechcraft Premier IA – Truly the most advanced technology light jet, the Premier IA offers customers an industry-leading combination of speed, cabin size and efficiency with a new interior, upgraded avionics and five-year warranty.
• Beechcraft King Air 350 – The King Air series is the most popular business turboprop lineup in the world. The flagship Beechcraft King Air 350 model offers the utmost in versatility and capability, and its fuel-efficiencies and operating costs offer an extremely practical aircraft for the region. This aircraft can operate on runways as short as 3,300 feet with exceptional short-field performance. It features a class leading heated, pressurized, and in-flight-accessible baggage area – the largest in its class. The King Air 350 also lends itself to a wide variety of special mission applications, such as aerial survey, air ambulance, VIP transport, ground surveillance and maritime patrol capabilities.
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special-mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with the largest number of factory-owned service centers and a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.