212 Firm Orders, 70 Falcons Delivered For Year

At Dassault’s annual analyst conference Thursday, Chairman and CEO, Charles Edelstenne announced the sales and financial results for 2007. For the third consecutive year, Dassault set a record for Falcon business jet sales with 212 firm orders worldwide. "The results are a tremendous statement to the benefits of business aviation which are now only being understood in some areas of the world,” said Edelstenne.

Dassault Aviation's 2007 sales were 4.8 billion Euros, with Falcon business jets accounting for 57% of total consolidated sales. Dassault delivered 70 Falcon business jets into service in 2007.

"The trend of widespread global growth that has lead to three years of record sales started a couple of years ago when markets such as Europe, Russia, Brazil and the Asia-Pacific countries entered a very rapid expansion phase,” said Edelstenne. "Those markets continue to grow along with India and the Middle East. Dassault’s sales balance is moving towards those and other countries, from markets that have traditionally been the strongest like the United States.”

Dassault’s continued success over years can be traced to a number of factors. "All of our models are well positioned to meet our customers’ needs. They’re fuel efficient in a time of very high jet fuel prices. The cabins are spacious and well appointed in a time when missions are getting longer. And a very high retained value helps to drive financial considerations during the process,” said John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon.

Continued Rosanvallon, "Those three factors were especially true in 2007 with the Falcon 7X and Falcon 2000LX. They’re both high tech and highly efficient and very much in demand.”

The Falcon 7X achieved dual FAA and EASA type certification on April 27, 2007. Over 200 Falcon 7X aircraft had been sold by the end of the year.

The eve of the Paris Air Show also marked the beginning of the future Super Mid-Sized Falcon when Dassault announced an engine partnership with Rolls Royce. At EBACE, Dassault launched a new addition to the Falcon family of business jets with the Falcon 2000LX. Based on the popular 2000EX, the new aircraft will feature a range of 4,000 nm at Mach .80 and a best in-class climb speed to 41,000 feet in just 18 minutes.

FMI: www.dassault-aviation.com