Shanghai, April 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2015 Asia Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition will be held from April 14 to 16 at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. Dassault Aviation will unveil two aircraft models: the long-range trijet Falcon 7X and the new short-range twinjet Falcon 2000S.
Olivier Villa, Senior Vice President of Dassault Aviation’s Civil Aircraft division, said: “The Falcon aircraft delivery performance is satisfactory.”
Olivier Villa, Senior Vice President of Dassault Aviation’s Civil Aircraft division, said: “The Falcon aircraft delivery performance is satisfactory.”
China has rapidly become one of the fastest-growing business jet markets in the world and is an important market for Falcon aircraft. Currently, more than 40 Falcon aircraft are in operation in China.
Olivier Villa, Senior Vice President of Dassault Aviation’s Civil Aircraft division, said: “Although new sales in the Chinese market declined in 2014, eight aircraft were delivered, so the Falcon aircraft delivery performance remains satisfactory.”
He added: “We see that demand for high-end jets remains very strong. With the recent launch of the new ultra-long-range Falcon 8X and the ultra-widebody Falcon 5X making steady progress, we expect this trend to continue. We are also encouraged by the strong interest in China for the two short-range models certified in 2013 – the new Falcon 2000S and Falcon 2000LXS, which indicates a maturing market in China.”
Dassault has full confidence in the Chinese market and has introduced a series of initiatives to strengthen its promotion and product support network in China and neighboring countries.
Last year, Dassault established a new subsidiary in Hong Kong called Dassault Aviation Falcon Asia-Pacific, which manages business activities in the nearby Asia-Pacific region, where the market is also growing above average.
In addition, Dassault is taking significant steps to enhance its regional service and spare parts network.
Falcon aircraft tailored for the Chinese market
There are currently 35 Falcon 7X aircraft in service in China, making China the second-largest market for the Falcon 7X after the United States. The Falcon 7X has a range of 5,950 nautical miles (11,020 kilometers), enabling direct flights from Shanghai to all destinations in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as most parts of Europe and the western United States.
The aircraft is equipped with advanced systems often found on military aircraft, features a spacious and quiet cabin, allowing passengers to enjoy a relaxing 13-hour flight. The Falcon 7X offers operational economy and flexibility, and can operate in airports with tight spaces, high altitudes, and hot climates — conditions where larger jets often struggle. Last year, the Falcon 7X completed a test flight at Daocheng Yading Airport in China, which sits at an altitude of 4,410 meters (14,470 feet), thus gaining approval to operate at the world’s highest commercial airport.
These characteristics have made the Falcon 7X the fastest-selling Falcon model. Since its certification in 2007, over 250 units have been sold.
The new Falcon 8X and ultra-widebody Falcon 5X will follow in the footsteps of the 7X. The Falcon 8X, based on the Falcon 7X, has a range of 6,450 nautical miles (12,000 kilometers). This model completed its maiden flight on February 6 and will begin deliveries in the second half of 2016. The Falcon 8X features the longest cabin of any Falcon model, offers the lowest operating and ownership costs in its class, and inherits the advanced cockpit technology and operational flexibility of the Falcon 7X.
The brand-new Falcon 5X has the largest cabin cross-section in the business aviation sector, yet has lower operating and ownership costs than any other large business jet. The Falcon 5X is expected to roll off the production line in a few weeks and make its maiden flight this summer.
Dassault’s two new widebody twinjet models, the Falcon 2000S and Falcon 2000LXS, are also tailored for the Chinese market. The Falcon 2000S, the latest entry-level model in the Falcon family, has a range of 3,350 nautical miles (6,205 kilometers) and comes with a full suite of standard features, including the upgraded EASy II avionics system, FalconCabin HD+ entertainment system, and a redesigned cabin, giving this super-midsize aircraft the comfort of a large cabin.
The Falcon 2000LXS, with a range of 4,000 nautical miles (7,410 kilometers), combines the short takeoff and landing capabilities of the Falcon 2000S with the long range of the Falcon 2000LX. It features the same inboard slats and winglets as the Falcon 2000S and, at a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 42,800 pounds, has a takeoff and landing distance of 4,675 feet (1,425 meters, sea level, ISA), enabling access to more airports than any other business jet in its class.
The long-range trijet Falcon 900LX completes the Falcon product lineup. Equipped with Honeywell TFE731-60 engines and the most advanced EASy II cockpit, it offers 7% more range than the Falcon 900EX EASy it replaced in 2010.
During the three-day exhibition, Dassault will be present in Chalet 11.