Dassault Falcon Presents Business Jet Range at Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2012

ABU DHABI, UAE, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Middle East deliveries and orders rising as regional aviation market recovers.

Dassault Falcon, the business jet operation of Dassault Aviation, will present its range of business jets at the Abu Dhabi Air Expo, Al Bateen Executive Airport, from March 6-8, 2012. Dassault will feature its flagship aircraft - the Falcon 7X - at the show, with a model on display at the event. The Falcon 7X is proving to be the best selling airplane for the company around the world, including in the Middle East, where three Falcon 7X were delivered to owners in the six month period of Q4 2011 to Q1 2012.

Dassault is experiencing an increase in aircraft deliveries throughout the Middle East as the market for business jets recovers, helped by economic growth and the rise of strong regional and international operators in the area.

Companies in the region now operate more than 60 Falcon business jets and will take delivery of a dozen additional aircraft over the next 24 months, boosting the regional fleet by 15%.

"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. Falcon business jets are recognized as a vital business asset," declared John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon. "The Middle East 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."

The Falcon 7X accounts for 40 percent of Falcon Middle East sales. Saudia Private Aviation, the respected business aviation unit of Saudi Arabian Airlines, operates four of these aircraft, which makes it the largest Falcon 7X customer in the world. Dubai based Empire Aviation Group manages three Falcon 7Xs.

The global 7X fleet recently passed the 100,000 flying hour milestone. The tri-jet offers flexible range, a large and comfortable cabin interior, efficient and economical performance as well as advanced technology based on Dassault's military heritage. The aircraft's 5,950 nm range enables it to handle more than 90 percent of the missions flown by the typical business jets. It can connect New York to Riyadh, Riyadh to Perth or Abu Dhabi to Tokyo and access challenging airports such as London City Airport--the only business jet in its category capable of doing so.

Renaud Cloatre, Dassault Falcon 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, comfortable 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 and performance, which means 20% to 40% less fuel consumption and lower emissions, as well as Dassault's extensive local support network."

Dassault Falcon has continued to invest in regional infrastructure and now operates Authorized Service Centers in Dubai and Jeddah, a spares distribution center in Dubai and a technical office in Jeddah. The company also has a regional sales office in Dubai.    

The Dassault Falcon range includes four large-cabin models: the tri-jet Falcon 7X and Falcon 900LX and the twin-jet Falcon 2000LX and Falcon 2000S. They share a number of common features, including flexible range, large and comfortable cabin interiors, efficient and economical performance and advanced technology derived from Dassault's considerable military experience. Dassault introduced the Falcon 2000S into the super mid-size category in 2011 as an entry level option to the Falcon family offering outstanding performance, luxurious, roomy interior and ultra-low operating cost for a price tag comparable to the smaller models featured by its competitors.

About Dassault Falcon

Dassault Falcon is responsible for selling and supporting Falcon business jets throughout the world. It is part of Dassault Aviation, a leading aerospace company with a presence in over 70 countries across five continents. Dassault Aviation produces the Rafale fighter jet as well as the complete line of Falcon business jets. The company has assembly and production plants in both France and the United States and service facilities on multiple continents. It employs a total workforce of over 12,000. Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, over 2,100 Falcon jets have been delivered to 67 countries worldwide. The family of Falcon jets currently in production includes the tri-jets-the Falcon 900LX and the 7X-as well as the twin-engine Falcon 2000LX and the new 2000S.

Press Contacts
Dassault Aviation (Saint-Cloud, France)
Vadim Feldzer Tel. +33-1-47-11-44-13  Marie-Alexandrine Munoz Tel. +33-1-47-11-64-23

Dassault Falcon (Teterboro Airport, USA)
Ralph Aceti Tel. +1-201-541-45-85       Andrew Ponzoni Tel. +1-201-541-45-88

Photos
Hi Res Photos at: http://www.falconphotogallery.com  (USER ID: dassault - PASSWORD: falcon)

SOURCE Dassault Falcon