Dassault Aviation will present an expanded lineup of Falcon business jets at this year’s Dubai Air Show, demonstrating the improving outlook for business executive jet sales in the Middle East. Two Falcon models, the 7X and 900LX trijets will be on display. The Middle East is also expected to be a major market for the all new Falcon 5X, due to enter service in mid 2017 and will be one of the highlights for Dassault at the show.
The Middle East is a vital market for business aviation and, with the gradual recovery of the worldwide economy, it is once again showing signs of sustained growth. The Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) 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.”
Falcon Fleet Double in Five Years
Falcons continue to meet the demands of Middle East customers, who appreciate the operating performance and flexibility, cabin comfort and technological excellence. More than 30 aircraft have been delivered to customers in the region over the past five years, nearly doubling the regional Falcon fleet to 67 aircraft.
“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 currently operates Authorized Service Centers in Dubai and Jeddah, a spares distribution center in Dubai and a technical office in Jeddah to serve the Middle East market. It also runs a regional sales office in Dubai.
New Falcons Made to Order for Middle East Operators
The ultra-long range 7X is the fastest-selling Falcon model in the Middle East, accounting for 40% of sales. Thirteen of the advanced trijet are currently in service in the region.
Earlier this year, Dassault delivered its first Falcon 900LX in Saudi Arabia to Wallan Aviation, the prominent Middle East general aviation company. The 4,750 nm tri-engine Falcon 900LX is the most efficient airplane in its class, with a fuel burn up to 40% lower than other comparable aircraft.
The popular Falcon 2000 is also in demand in the region and represents about one third of the aircraft operating in the region. Along with the Falcon 2000S, Dassault recently certified another new 2000 model, the 2000LXS, which combines the short-field performance and low operating costs of the “S” model with the long range capability of the 2000LX.
The Middle East is expected to be a major market for the all new Falcon 5X, 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.”
The introduction of the Falcon 5X concluded a busy year for Dassault, which also marked the 50th anniversary of the Falcon business jets; the company has delivered over 2,250 Falcons and become the acknowledged leader in the large cabin sector.
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