Hawker Beechcraft Shelves Hawker 200

Stephen Pope

Tuesday, December 06, 2011 at 11:19 PM ET

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Hawker 200

Key Takeaways:

Hawker Beechcraft has decided to slow development of its Hawker 200 light business jet due to the "fragile global economic situation" and a particularly challenging market for light jets.
The company is at a "natural pause point" in the Hawker 200's certification program and will resume development when market conditions rebound, though the timing of recovery is uncertain.
Despite the difficult light jet market and recent setbacks like layoffs and losing an Air Force contract, Hawker Beechcraft is increasing production rates for its turboprop and other jet aircraft in 2012, citing stability in those segments.

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Citing the “fragile global economic situation,” Hawker Beechcraft has decided to slow development of the Hawker 200 light business jet, known originally as the Beechcraft Premier II, until market conditions rebound.

“As you are aware, our industry is facing one of the most challenging markets in its history,” noted Hawker Beechcraft chairman and CEO Bill Boisture in a letter to employees. “The light jet segment has been particularly hard hit. Most manufacturers have made difficult decisions and are hopeful for a timely recovery. Unfortunately, economists and third-party industry analysts agree the timing of that recovery remains uncertain.”