Orlando, Florida-headquartered Part 135 operator Fly Alliance, until recently trading as Alliance Aviation Group, has acquired new private jets to expand its continuously growing fleet.

The fleet additions include 12 Cessna Citation XLS+ Gen 2, six Cessna Citation Latitude and two Cessna Citation Longitude jets from Textron Aviation.

“We want to reiterate to our valued customers that no matter what kind of trip you are taking, we have the perfect jet for you,” says CEO and co-founder Kevin Wargo. “With the influx of these additional jets, we believe that not only can our customers continue to choose a luxury jet that suits their needs, it will also elevate their overall private flying experience.”

The company expects to take delivery of the first aircraft, an XLS Gen2, in 2023.

Fly Alliance offers jet card and on demand Part 135 charter services as well as maintenance, parts, sales and acquisitions. Its fleet of managed and charter aircraft are based in Orlando, Stuart, Palm Beach and Miami in Florida, as well as Providence in Rhode Island. The fleet includes six Hawker 800XP aircraft; this will be its first Citation.

“The Fly Alliance acquisition of up to 20 brand new aircraft from Textron Aviation expands our product offering to our members and customers,” says Wargo. “This is an excellent path to building our fleet size to 100 aircraft in the years to come.”

The Cessna Citation XLS Gen2 is the latest model of the Citation 560XL midsize business jet series, which began with the introduction of the Citation Excel in 1998. More than 1,000 560XLs have been delivered throughout the past 25 years.

Textron Aviation first unveiled plans for the Citation XLS Gen2 during the October 2021 NBAA-BACE, achieving FAA type certification and beginning deliveries in May 2022.

The Citation XLS Gen2 equips operators with speeds of up to 441 knots (817 kph) with a maximum range of 2,100 nm (3,889 km), a take off field length of 3,600 ft (1,097 m) and climbs to 45,000 ft (13,716 m) in 30 minutes. While maintaining key performance specifications, the XLS Gen2 also includes increased payload capabilities and meets Stage 5 maximum noise level requirements.

“This order is an important step in Textron Aviation's continued relationship with Alliance Aviation Group, now Fly Alliance,” says Textron senior vice president, global sales and flight operations Lannie O'Bannion. “Fly Alliance set out with the goal of improving the private charter experience, so it only makes sense to bring the Citation XLS Gen2 into its fleet. It's the latest version of our popular midsize jet that features comfort and productivity upgrades while retaining the model's winning combination of performance and efficiencies.”