Dassault Falcon Supports Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2013 (March 5-7) as Private Aviation Continues to Recover in the Middle East

ABU DHABI, UAE, February 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Dassault Falcon plans to grow its Middle East fleet by 10% over the next 18 months and will present its current range of business jet offerings at the Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2013, from March 5-7, including a Falcon 900LX and a Falcon 2000LX on display at Al Bateen Executive Airport.

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Dassault sees the market for business jets recovering across the Middle East, helped by new regional operators and the increased globalization of regional commerce. The company will deliver six Falcons to Middle East customers over the next coming months. More than 60 Falcon business jets already operate in the region. Saudia Private Aviation, which owns and operates four Falcon 7X business jets, is one of the world's largest Falcon 7X operators.

"2012 proved to be another positive year for the company, concluding with an order from the prominent Middle East general aviation company, Wallan Aviation, for two Falcon 900 business jets," said John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon. "The Middle East business jet market is maturing. The region has world class infrastructure including magnificent new airports. The economy is growing. The future remains promising."

Dassault Falcon - 50 Years of Passion

The Abu Dhabi Air Expo comes at a time when Dassault starts celebrating its Falcons' 50^th anniversary. Five decades ago, Dassault conceived and launched the Mystère-Falcon 20 - the first true purpose-built business jet that first flew on May 4^th 1963. Twenty different models have followed in the years since, each with the same sleek lines, smooth handling and peerless reliability and efficiency displayed by that first Falcon.

Today, more than 2,000 Falcons are in operation in 80 countries around the world and aggregate fleet flight time has surpassed 16 million hours - testimony to the reputation for quality and performance that the Falcon family has acquired within the executive aviation community.

"Our company has always been a leader in this industry and we will continue to set the pace in the years ahead," says John Rosanvallon. "Moreover, the best is yet to come."

Falcons well suited for the Middle East market

"Falcons meet the demands of Middle East owners, offering long range and large, roomy cabins which are ideal for work or rest," says Renaud Cloatre, Dassault Falcon's sales director for the Middle East. "Increasingly important is the fact that Falcons burn 20-40% less fuel and offer up to 50% lower operating costs than some aircraft in their class."

The Falcon 7X is Dassault's best-selling aircraft and accounts for about 40% of all Dassault Falcon's Middle East business jet sales. Its 5,950 nm range allows the Falcon 7X to serve more than 90% of the city pairs demanded by the typical business aviation traveler. The airplane can connect New York to Jeddah, Abu Dhabi to Perth or Cape Town to London City. The Falcon 7X also offers unparalleled flexibility of operation. It is the only business jet in its category able to operate from short runways like La Mole St Tropez in France or to meet the demanding requirements of London City Airport, with its steep approach and noise restrictions.

The 3,350 nm Falcon 2000S was shown for the first time at the NBAA in Orlando, USA, in October 2012 and is set for certification in the first quarter of 2013. Flight test performance is better than figures announced when the aircraft was unveiled in May 2011. The Falcon 2000S can fly from Abu Dhabi to Paris or Riyadh to London City Airport. The 4,000 nm Falcon 2000LXS, introduced in 2012, combines the short field performance of the 2000S and the climb and cruise capabilities of the 2000LX. The Falcon 2000LXS can fly from Abu Dhabi to London City or Hong Kong.

Dassault Falcon continues to expand its Middle East sales and support network in order to serve this dynamic market. In addition to the Dubai office, the network includes Authorized Service Centers in Dubai and Jeddah, a spares distribution center in Dubai and a technical office in Jeddah.

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 2,200 Falcon jets have been delivered to 80 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 2000LX, 2000LXS and Falcon 2000S.

Photos

Hi Res Photos at: http://www.falconphotogallery.com

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

Dassault Falcon (Teterboro Airport, USA)
Andrew Ponzoni Tel. +1-201-541-45-88
Grant Kielczewski Tel. +1-201-541-46-79

SOURCE Dassault Falcon