Industry analysts this week pointed to signs of a possible acquisition in Learjet’s future.
Bombardier financial analyst Cai von Rumohr says the sale of the Bombardier subsidiary is “increasingly possible,” with Textron Aviation as the likely buyer, the Wichita Eagle reports.
The speculation comes after Bombardier’s second-quarter 2016 earnings call Friday, in which Bombardier executives brought up Learjet’s dwindling delivery numbers. In the first half of 2016, Learjet delivered six jets compared with 15 a year before. The company has also been feeling the competition from other jet makers, with Bombardier spokesman Mark Masluch saying it’s willing to budge on the price of the $13.8 million Learjet 75 to focus on “aggressively marketing and selling.”
Masluch told the newspaper Bombardier doesn’t comment on rumors or speculation.
Textron, in addition to being a competitor with its Cessna Citation business jets, has a campus at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport, where Learjet is headquartered.
“You really have one buyer and one seller,” von Rumohr told the Wichita Eagle. “… My guess is I would think it would be a good fit with Textron.”
Textron Aviation also chose not to comment on the speculation.
