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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 hardto- 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, Mumbaibased 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.
Dassault Falcon is a global brand for Dassault
business jets which are designed, manufactured
and supported by Dassault Aviation and Dassault
Falcon Jet Corp.
Dassault Aviation is a leading aerospace company
with a presence in over 80 countries across five
continents. It produces the Rafale fighter jet
as well as the complete line of Falcons. The company
employs a workforce of over 11,000 and has assembly
and production plants in both France and the United
States and service facilities around the globe.
Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963,
over 2,250 Falcon jets have been delivered. The
family of Falcon jets currently in production
includes the tri-jets— the Falcon 900LX and the
7X— as well as the twin-engine 2000S, the Falcon
2000LXS and the new Falcon 5X.
Dassault Falcon Jet Corp. is a wholly owned U.S.
subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, France. Dassault
Falcon Jet markets and supports the Falcon family
of business jets throughout North America, South
America and the Pacific Rim countries of Asia,
including China.
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