Dassault to showcase growing presence in Southeast Asia at Indonesian summit

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Dassault Aviation will highlight the expanding popularity of its Falcon Jet business aircraft line among Southeast Asian operators at this year’s Indonesian Business & Charter Aviation Summit, which begins on September 7.

Falcon Jets are tailor made for the demanding operating conditions of the region, in particular their great versatility, their airport performance and their unique long/short haul capability, which allows them to make a quick hop to a nearby destination with a full load of fuel before continuing on to a far off destination in Europe, Africa or the Americas.

This is particularly true of Indonesia, an archipelago of over 17,000 islands spanning a distance greater than the continental U.S. for which aviation is the only feasible means of travel. Although commercial aviation is quite developed, many destinations are under served and hard to get to except by private jet.

There are already a large number of small to medium sized business aircraft serving the Indonesian market, but operators are more and more eager to move up to large cabin and longer range jets.

Indonesia is currently the fastest growing business aviation market in Southeast Asia, with a double-digit growth rate, and the second largest fleet in the region after Singapore.

“We see enormous potential for our new Falcon 8X in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, the region’s largest economy,” says Jean-Michel Jacob, president of the Dassault Aviation subsidiary for the Asia Pacific. “The Indonesian business community has substantial domestic and overseas travel requirements. Operating a business jet gives them more flexibility and allows them to make more efficient use of their time.”

More than 100 Falcons are currently in service in Southeast Asia and the Asia/Pacific region, including all in-production models, from the very long range Falcon 7X to the Falcon 2000LXS/S widebody twins and the long range 900LX.

These aircraft will be joined soon by the Falcon 8X ultra long range trijet, which was awarded US and European Aviation Safety Agency certification last June and will enter service in the coming weeks. The 6,450 nm/11,945 km Falcon 8X will feature the same advanced technologies and exceptional short-field performance, operating economy and quietness as the revolutionary Falcon 7X from which it is derived. It will also offer the longest cabin of any Falcon and the largest selection of standard cabin configurations on any large business jet, including an optional shower capability.

The 8X will connect regional capitals like Jakarta and Singapore to most destinations in Europe non stop. Moreover, the aircraft’s three engine design will permit it to fly more direct routes over water, meaning even greater time savings for business travelers.

Reinforcing After-Market Support

To ensure optimum support for its growing fleet, Dassault continues to reinforce its after sales support network in Southeast Asia. It recently expanded spares capacity at its Singapore warehouse, helping boost regional inventory to nearly $35 million, including the top 3,500 top demand parts for in production aircraft.

A Model to Fit Every Requirement

The Falcon fleet is designed to meet the full range of operator needs. In addition to its advanced systems, largely derived from military aircraft, the 5,950 nm/11,000 km Falcon 7X features an ultra-comfortable, roomy interior that allows passengers to disembark fresh and relaxed after a 13 hour flight.

The Falcon 2000LXS and S are Dassault’s new short field champions. The 4,000nm/7,410km LXS can access more airports than any other aircraft in its category, while the 3,350 nm/6,205 km Falcon 2000S affords large cabin comfort and economics that were previously unheard of in the super mid-size segment.

The 4,750 nm/8,800 km Falcon 900LX trijet combines long range and low-speed landing capability with exceptional hot-and-high performance. It is the most efficient airplane in its class, with a fuel burn up to 40% lower than any comparable aircraft.