Fleet guide › Citation CJ3+
Light jet

Citation CJ3+

Citation CJ3+ exterior
Cessna CitationJet CJ3 at the Stampe Fly-In, Antwerp, 2019. Photo via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA.

Overview

The Cessna Citation CJ3+ is a light jet that hits the sweet spot for African charter: fast enough to make regional hops feel effortless, economical enough to keep private flying within reach, and short-field capable enough to use secondary airports that larger jets cannot. With seating for up to seven passengers, a stand-up cabin, and a range comfortably covering trips like Nairobi to Zanzibar or Johannesburg to Victoria Falls nonstop, it is one of the most popular light jets in charter service worldwide. Single-pilot certified and famously reliable, the CJ3+ pairs jet speed with turboprop-like operating flexibility.

Key specifications

Manufactured by Cessna (Textron Aviation), 2004-present.

Passengers
up to 7
Cruise speed
741 km/h
400 kt
Range
2,963 km
1,600 NM
Min runway
1.10 km
3,600 ft
Ceiling
13,716 m
45,000 ft
Baggage
65 cu ft / ~1.8 m3
Airstrips
Paved only
Citation CJ3+ cabin interior
Citation CJ3+ cabin, displayed at EBACE 2023, Le Grand-Saconnex. Photo via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA.

Detailed specifications

Years of manufacture
2004-present
Number produced
700+
Max take-off weight
6,291 kg
Max payload
1,043 kg
Empty weight
4,177 kg
Crew
1-2
Engines
2 x Williams FJ44-3A turbofans
Wingspan
16.26 m
Length
15.59 m

Chartering the Citation CJ3+ in Africa

For charter across Africa, the Citation CJ3+ is typically positioned from its home base to your departure airport, flown to your destination, and returned afterwards — the estimate you see on a route search already accounts for this full rotation. Whether it suits a given trip depends on the runway at each end, the distance, and how many seats you need. Search any route to see a live estimate for the Citation CJ3+ alongside every other aircraft that can fly it, then send an enquiry to have operators confirm the exact price.

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Images are representative of the aircraft type — the actual aircraft, cabin layout and interior finish depend on the operating carrier. Specifications are typical planning figures for charter use and vary by individual aircraft configuration. Charter prices are computed estimates confirmed by the operating carrier through the inquiry process.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to charter a Citation CJ3+ in Africa?

The Citation CJ3+ is chartered as a whole aircraft, not per seat. Planning rates start around US$4,600 per occupied flight hour before airport, handling and navigation charges. On most African sectors the larger variable is positioning: if no Citation CJ3+ is sitting at your departure airport, the empty leg flown in to collect you is priced into the quote, which is why a short hop can cost more than its flight time suggests. Every route page on this site shows the all-in estimate rather than the bare hourly rate.

How many passengers can the Citation CJ3+ carry?

Up to 7 passengers in the cabin layout typically offered for charter in Africa. Operators configure individual aircraft differently, so the usable seat count on the specific tail allocated to your trip is confirmed at quote stage, along with baggage allowance, which is usually the binding limit on safari and golf trips rather than seats.

What is the range of the Citation CJ3+?

The Citation CJ3+ plans to roughly 1,600 nautical miles (about 2,963 km) with normal reserves. From its Abidjan base that reaches scheduled airports in 31 African countries without a fuel stop. Hot and high departures, strong headwinds and a full cabin all reduce that figure, so longer sectors are planned with a technical stop where needed.

Which African airports can the Citation CJ3+ use?

It needs roughly 3,600 ft of paved runway at typical charter weights. On our airport data that covers 361 of the 394 African airports with scheduled service, before allowing for elevation, temperature and runway condition on the day. Shorter or unpaved strips, including most safari airstrips, are outside its limits and are flown on a turboprop instead.

Where is the Citation CJ3+ based in Africa?

Citation CJ3+ aircraft in our fleet data are based at Abidjan, Arusha, Cape Town, Casablanca, Dakar, Johannesburg and other bases. Departing from or near one of those cities keeps positioning cost down, because the aircraft does not have to fly an empty leg to reach you.

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