European Air-Taxi Firm Bets Big on HondaJet

Honda Aircraft has notched its biggest order yet, signing a deal with Wijet, a European air-taxi provider, for 16 HondaJets to upgrade its aging business jet fleet. Honda Aircraft made the announcement at the Singapore Airshow being held at Changi Exhibition Centre, where the HondaJet is making its first-ever appearance.

Wijet is a French air-taxi company that provides travel to up to 1,200 airports throughout Europe and North Africa using a fleet of 15 Cessna Citations. The company is expected to take delivery of its first HondaJet before then end of next month, with more deliveries to follow over the next 18 months as it replaces its Citation fleet.

“I am delighted that Wijet has chosen the HondaJet to provide their customers with the exceptional experience of the most advanced light jet on the market,” said Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino. “I am confident the HondaJet will meet and exceed their expectations with its quietest, most spacious and most comfortable cabin in its class combined with unrivaled speed, efficiency, and amenities like a fully-private lavatory and Wi-Fi connectivity.”

“There is no comparison to the HondaJet, in its category,” said Patrick Hersent, CEO of Wijet. “For our customers we offer the best of the best in terms of products and experience while providing our partners with a safe and superior product at an affordable rate. The HondaJet does all of these things.”

At the HondaJet’s list price of $4.95 million, the deal would be worth about $80 million. The light jet is currently certified by the FAA, in Europe by EASA, and in Mexico (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), Canada (Transport Canada) and Brazil (Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency).