Dassault doubles Falcon fleet in the Middle East
Dassault Falcon 5X
Dassault Falcon says its Falcon business jet fleet in the Middle East has doubled in size in the last five years.
Dassault’s new Falcon 5X business jet.
Dassault says its fleet of Falcon private jets based in the Middle East has doubled in size over the last five years, as the business jet market outlook improves.
The company has expanded its regional Falcon fleet to 67 aircraft and is demonstrating its commitment to the region, by displaying a Falcon 7X and a Falcon 900LX at this year’s Dubai Air Show. The Middle East is expected to be a major market for the all new Falcon 5X, due to enter service in mid 2017.
According to the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), it forecasts that the number of business jets operating in the region will double by the end of the decade.
“The business jet market in the Middle East shows promise for a healthy future,” said Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. “The Dubai Air Show is the perfect place to showcase our revamped model line and detail the all-new Falcon 5X large cabin jet that we unveiled at the National Business Aviation Association Convention in Las Vegas last month,” added Trappier.
“We are proud to list prestigious regional operators like Saudi Private Aviation and Wallan Aviation among our loyal customers,” said Trappier. “We forecast continued growth in the years ahead, and plan to continue investing in the region to better support our operators.”
Dassault says the Falcon 7X is the fastest-selling model in the Middle East, accounting for 40 per cent of regional sales (there are thirteen Falcon 7Xs currently operating in the region). The Falcon 2000 represents around one third of the fleet and the company Dassault delivered its first Falcon 900LX in Saudi Arabia to Wallan Aviation earlier this year.
Dassault also expects the Middle East to be a major market for the new Falcon 5X launched at NBAA in Las Vegas last month, which is due to enter service in mid 2017.
“The 5,200 nm (9,630 km) Falcon 5X will feature the largest cabin cross-section and the most advanced digital flight controls in business aviation, enabling it to link Dubai to all destinations in Africa, the Far East and Europe with a level of comfort and efficiency unmatched in the large cabin segment,” said Renaud Cloatre, Dassault Aviation’s sales director for the Middle East.
“We believe it will be a perfect match for the demands of the Middle East market,” added Cloutre.
