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| India Aviation, 12-16 March 2014, Hyderabad - India |
France, March 7,2014 : Dassault Aviation will present its Falcon fleet of large
cabin, long range business jets at India Aviation, India’s biggest civilian air
show.
The fourth edition of this
prestigious event, which opens on March 12 at Hyderabad Begumpet Airport, will
feature Dassault’s 5,950 nm /11,000 km range Falcon 7X trijet, the first
business jet certified with a fully-digital flight control system.
Dassault is the Indian market leader
for large cabin, long range aircraft, with 22 aircraft currently in service and
several more on order. Most of the new aircraft orders are for the longest
range Falcon models, capable of flying non-stop to London City Airport from
anywhere in India.
The Falcon 2000 twinjet is also
popular among Indian customers. Two newly introduced versions, the 3,350 nm /
6,200 km 2000S and the 4,000 nm / 7,000 km 2000LXS, will offer takeoff and
landing performance unparalleled among wide body jets - comparable to much
smaller midsize and super midsize models. Like the 7X and the long range Falcon
900LX, the 2000S and LXS were recently approved for operation at London City.
Dassault also anticipates a warm
reception in India for its brand new 5,200 nm / 9,630 km Falcon 5X which will
offer the largest cabin cross-section of any business jet and the lowest
ownership and operating costs in its class. Initial Indian orders for the large
body twinjet are expected this year. The 5X is expected to make its first
flight in the first quarter of next year with certification planned at the end
of 2016.
“We see improving signs of the
Indian market which has been slow recently” remarked Gilles Gautier, Vice
president Falcon Sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “India has a
real need for expanding business aviation, and we remain bullish about future
market prospects.”
Because of their exceptional
efficiency and flexibility, Falcons are very popular with Indian operators,
particularly in the corporate and charter markets. Their unparalleled operating
economy and their ability to combine short and long haul flights and fly out of
short hard-to-reach airstrips with full range performance - even at high
altitudes and high temperature conditions - make them perfect for local
conditions. Lower operating expenses and traditional higher resale values make
Falcon ownership costs a real competitive advantage.
The flagship 7X, with its large
cabin and advanced systems, largely derived from military aircraft, is
particularly prized by Indian customers. Its ultra quiet roomy interior,
available with a shower option, allows passengers to disembark fresh and
relaxed after a 13-hour flight. And its London City Airport rating can shave
two hours off a typical London business trip.
The first Indian Falcon 7X was
acquired by Ligare, the biggest Indian Falcon operator. The aircraft has been
used since 2010 for Ligare’s charter operations.
“Dassault has been part of the
Indian aviation market for more than 60 years, initially in the military
domain,” notes Gautier. Our customers understand the benefits that fighter
technology brings to business aviation. Soon we will celebrate the 20th
anniversary of our first Falcon delivery in India, a Falcon 200 to the Tata
group in 1995.”
Indian Falcon operators can also
rely on a growing regional servicing and spares network. After beefing up its
local representation and support office in Delhi, Dassault recently added a
second authorized support facility in Mumbai, in cooperation with Tata
affiliate Taj Air, and further partnerships are contemplated.
The Taj Air shop services Falcon
2000 and 2000DX/EX/LXS models. Dassault’s other Indian authorized support
facility, Mumbai-based Air Works India, handles 900EX/LX aircraft.
The network, which includes spares
warehouses in Mumbai and Chennai, is backed up by offshore facilities in Dubai,
Singapore and Paris. Pilot training is available at CAE in Dubai and technical
training may soon be offered there as well.
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