Dassault, NetJets Europe Ink Huge Bizjet Order

0

Depending on how it’s measured, yesterday’s agreement between Dassault Aviation and NetJets Europe for 24 Falcon 7X aircraft valued at U.S. $1.1 billion is the second largest business aircraft order in history or the largest European deal ever. Regardless, the transaction is Dassault’s largest-ever private jet sale. The 24 aircraft will be delivered over six years, starting in early 2008, and continuing through 2014. Of course, the order’s size was not lost on the customer. Mark Booth, chairman and CEO of NetJets Europe, said, “This historic order reinforces our desire to provide our customers with the best aircraft and product options to meet their business aviation needs. The Falcon 7X is a magnificent aircraft and we expect fractional demand for this aircraft to be robust. The size of this order clearly demonstrates the significant demand for our product, which has effectively revolutionized travel on this continent.” A similarly happy Charles Edelstenne, chairman and president of Dassault Aviation, said, “We are extremely pleased that NetJets Europe has selected the Falcon 7X for this order. We believe it is the perfect aircraft for NetJets to continue building its long-range business and to offer its clients the exceptional service they have come to expect.”

Dassault expects to certificate the Falcon 7X in early 2007; the type was first announced at the 2001 Paris Air Show and more than 90 aircraft have already been ordered. It is designed with a range of 5,950 nm, enabling nonstop flights from London to Los Angeles or Edinburgh to Tokyo. NetJets Europe is the largest Dassault operator on the continent with a fleet of 15 Falcon aircraft. The company took delivery of a Falcon 2000EX and a Falcon 900EX earlier this year and will receive another Falcon 2000EX in December. NetJets Europe was founded in 1996 and took delivery of its 100th plane in June 2006.

LEAVE A REPLY