WICHITA, Kan. (Jan. 26, 2001) - Raytheon Travel Air is adding intercontinental widebody business jets to its growing fleet of new Raytheon aircraft. During the next two months, late model Challenger 601 series aircraft will enter the fleet.

"We listen to our customers," said Gary Hart, president of Raytheon Travel Air. "Recently, several of our current and prospective customers have expressed a need for a larger-cabin and longer-range business aircraft than we have in our program today. To satisfy those needs, we have added an intercontinental, widebody jet to complement our Raytheon Aircraft class-leading products.

"With the addition of the Challengers, Raytheon Travel Air will possess one of the broadest and most flexible programs in the fractional ownership industry," Hart added.

Qualified Raytheon Travel Air shareowners may migrate to the Challenger aircraft when their travel requirements call for a larger or longer-range aircraft. "We notified our owners of our decision two weeks ago and the response has been excellent," Hart said. "There is tremendous interest from our owners in upgrading to Challengers for particular trips as well as purchasing additional shares," he added.

In addition to the Challenger purchases, Raytheon Travel Air continues to expand its fleet with delivery positions for 343 Raytheon aircraft valued at more than $2.7 billion, including options. Aircraft on order include: 71 Premier I entry-level business jets, 62 Beechjet 400A light business jets, 61 Hawker 800XP mid-size business jets, 50 Hawker 450 light mid-size business jets with options for 25 more, 47 King Air B200 twin engine turboprop business aircraft and 27 Hawker Horizon super mid-size business jets.

Since 1997 the Raytheon Travel Air fleet has expanded from 13 aircraft and 42 owners to 93 aircraft and more than 700 shareowners today. Today, the fleet consists of 23 King Air B200, 48 Beechjet 400A and 22 Hawker 800XP aircraft.

Raytheon Travel Air employs more than 700, including 480 pilots. Since its creation, the program has logged more than 130,000 flight hours on more than 92,000 flights. The company averages 130 flights per day and has an on-time record of 98.5 percent.

In 2000, Raytheon Travel Air was named No.1 in service for the second consecutive year by an independent survey of fractional aircraft owners. In addition, it was voted No.1 in crew professionalism as well as program scheduling in the same survey.

Raytheon Travel Air is a key component of Raytheon Aircraft's total air transport solution, which comprises new and used aircraft sales, special mission capability, aircraft fractional ownership, an extensive network of fixed-based operations and worldwide parts distribution.

Raytheon Company, based in Lexington, Mass., is a global technology leader that provides products and services in the areas of commercial and defense electronics, as well as the Raytheon Aircraft business. Raytheon has operations throughout the United States and serves customers in more than 70 countries around the world.