Cessna Aircraft Company, part of the Textron Aviation segment of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), announced today a landmark order for Caravan turboprop aircraft to be operated for tourism services in China, a key milestone in the company’s effort to increase its presence in China to support the growth of general and business aviation in the Asia Pacific region.

The Reignwood Group has agreed to acquire 10 Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibian aircraft through the Cessna-AVIC Shijiazhuang facility to expand its aircraft services (Reignwood Star Aviation) and operate tourism flights in the southeast part of China. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) granted approval for the Cessna Grand Caravan EX to operate on floats in China in March of this year.

“The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is incredibly durable and versatile, exactly what Reignwood was looking for to fit the types of missions they are planning,” said Bill Harris, vice president, Sales, Asia and Asia Pacific. “The Grand Caravan EX offers the performance commuter operators desire while providing the comfort and cabin features passengers appreciate. The options for how the Grand Caravan EX can be configured means the aircraft can be put into service for freight deliveries, commuter air travel, executive travel, aerial survey or tourism, all while being durable enough for both on- and off-airport operations and for amphibious use with floats.”

Cessna-AVIC Aircraft (Shijiazhuang) Co., Ltd. is in its first year of operations and is delivering aircraft to retail customers in China. The joint venture results from the agreement signed in 2012 with the China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company (CAIGA), a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The joint venture began officially operating when its business license was approved in September 2013 by the Ministry of Commerce.

More than 2,200 Caravan aircraft have been manufactured by Cessna since the aircraft was introduced in 1985. The model 675 Caravan is still available, along with the Caravan Amphibian and the Super Cargomaster EX.