Dassault: 2020 deliveries down 25% on previous year

Falcon 8X

Dassault Aviation has revealed its Falcon deliveries will be down by 25% in 2020, with 30 planned for delivery, compared with its original guidance of 40 aircraft. Dassault has already delivered 16 Falcons in the first half – only one less than first half 2019.

The news came during Dassault’s first-half 2020 results press conference, hosted by chairman and CEO, Eric Trappier. According to Trappier, the company has not had any Falcon orders cancelled in the first half of 2020, but some customers have delayed deliveries to next year. This has prompted the company to trim its delivery forecast for this year.

In the first six months of 2020, Dassault took in orders for five Falcons, two fewer than in the same period last year. At the end of June, the company’s backlog for Falcons stood at 42 aircraft, down 11, from 53 at the end of 2019.

While the French OEM has been able to continue development on the Falcon 6X during the Covid-19 crisis, Dassault has postponed this year’s planned announcement of its latest Falcon due to the global pandemic.

The Falcon 6X is due to begin flight testing early 2021, with service entry the year after. However, the Falcon 6X launch has been “put off until it is easier to travel” said Trappier, adding that he has promised to make the announcement in person with the aircraft’s partners.

Meanwhile, Trappier thanked healthcare workers and the Dassault group for their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. He also noted the contribution that Dassault made to the French national effort during the pandemic.

“We contributed to the national effort in France by providing our Falcons. Dassault Aviation took part in the operation called “Résilience”, with the French Ministry of Armed Forces, our Falcons flew healthcare workers and medical equipment within France and worldwide,” said Trappier.