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."