Presence And Support Infrastructure Develops Across The Region

Despite recent challenging market conditions, Dassault Falcon claims a fleet of more than 60 Falcon business jets operated by customers in the middle east, and says it has a backlog of a dozen additional aircraft to be delivered to regional buyers over the next two years. Company officials say the number represent 15 percent growth in the regional fleet.

The Middle East region remains a major market for Dassault Falcon with aircraft deliveries rising as the regional market for business jets recovers, helped by the increasing globalization of business and the rise of strong companies, operating regionally and even internationally, in the Middle East.

"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," declared John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon.

Dassault's Falcon 7X, the flagship model, accounts for 40 percent of Falcon Middle East sales. Saudia Private Aviation, the business aviation unit of Saudi Arabian Airlines, already operates 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 managed business jet operator Empire Aviation Group (EAG). This airplane will be the third Falcon 7X to join EAG's fleet of managed aircraft. The Falcon 7X was also the first business jet available that's equipped with a fully-digital flight control system.

Dassault 7X

The new Falcon 2000S has been introduced in the super mid-size category in 2011 as an entry level option. As with all Falcon business jets, the Falcon 2000S is also highly optimized in terms of aerodynamic design and weight, which also means much lower fuel consumption and the greenest footprint in its class.

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

"The worldwide market for business jets is recovering slowly," Rosanvallon said. "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."

FMI: http://falcon2000s.com/