Dassault sees further growth in the Middle East

Dassault is displaying two business jets at the Dubai
Air Show, a Falcon 7X and Falcon 2000LX. Dassault has a fleet of more than 60
Falcon business jets operated by customers in the region. Dassault Falcon
currently has a backlog of a dozen additional aircraft to be delivered to
regional buyers over the next two years, representing growth of 15% in
the regional fleet.

The Falcon 7X business aircraft
accounts for 40% of Falcon Middle East sales, with Saudia Private Aviation,
already operating three of these aircraft, with a fourth on order, which will
make it the largest operator of the Falcon 7X in the world. Another 7X will be
also delivered this week to Empire Aviation Group, the largest managed business
jet operator in the Middle East. This airplane
will be the third Falcon 7X to join EAG’s fleet of managed aircraft.

“The business aviation market in the Middle East
has matured to the extent that, today, a business jet is viewed in the region
as a powerful tool to enable quick and convenient access to customers, within
the region and worldwide. They are recognized as a vital business asset by
local entrepreneurs, and larger regional companies,” said John
Rosanvallon, president and chief executive officer of Dassault Falcon, in a press release.

Renaud Cloatre, sales director for the Middle East
added, “Dassault Falcon aircraft are very well-suited to the demands of our
Middle East customers, offering long range and
large cabins. Our customers are mostly companies and entrepreneurs who are
highly mobile, and who move all around the world on business. They need
comfortable and well equipped aircraft in which to work and rest en route.
Above all, they value the efficient Falcon aircraft design which means 20% to
40% less fuel consumption and lower emissions.”

Currently, Dassault Falcon has four large-cabin
models: the tri-jets Falcon 7X and Falcon 900LX and the twin-jets Falcon 2000S
and Falcon 2000LX.

John Rosanvallon adds: “The worldwide market for
business jets is recovering slowly. Markets in the US
and in Western Europe have not yet returned to the levels of activity we saw
before the global economic crisis, although we have seen a good level of
commercial activity in China,
Russia and Latin
America this year. Despite the recent challenging economic
conditions, the Middle East still represents a
major market for Dassault Falcon with a two year backlog of aircraft
deliveries. Our view of the Middle East
business aviation market over the long term remains very positive because of
the vitality of the region and the strong internationalization of business.”