DASSAULT INCREASES MIDDLE EAST FLEET, LOOKS FOR FURTHER GROWTH

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Dassault Falcon has delivered a total of 21 large cabin aircraft in the last three years in the Middle East - growing the regional fleet by more than 60 per cent. The Middle East Falcon fleet has continued to grow significantly in 2009 in a year in which the company achieved the milestone of delivering its 2,000th business jet – a Falcon 2000LX to Koç Holding based in Istanbul, one of the largest and fastest growing companies in Turkey.
Dassault has a significant backlog of orders from the region and expects its current regional fleet of 50 aircraft to grow by more than 50 per cent in the next three years.
Despite the severe impact of the economic crisis in the US and Europe, the overall market situation now appears to have stabilized. “The level of pre-owned Falcon aircraft inventories has started to decrease,” commented John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon. “While some areas of the world have yet to show signs of recovery, regions such as Asia, South America and the Middle East are becoming more active.”
The Koç Group is representative of the vibrant growth throughout the region where strong demand for Falcon aircraft continues, thanks to the suitability of the Falcon line in meeting the demands of regional owners/operators.
“All of our models have stand up headroom and unbeatable fuel economy,” said Rosanvallon. “And with oil hovering around $80 per barrel, the efficiency of the Falcons with their comfort and performance is a compelling feature.” In particular, the 5,950 nm range Falcon 7X represents about 40 per cent of Dassault’s recent sales in the region. Its unique digital flight control system sets it apart, providing smoother flights and unmatched maneuvering control for the flight crew. It is the only long range business jet that can be operated into and out of London City Airport and thus links the heart of the world's largest financial center with non-stop access to the Middle East. Notable city pairs include: New York to Dubai, Jeddah to Recife or Riyadh to Perth.