Dassault has established a full-time sales office in Dubai as well as a dedicated spare parts distribution center and authorized service center, all to meet stepped-up demand for the French business jet builder’s family of airplanes, in particular the long-range Falcon 7X.

“The Middle East market has been growing faster than other regions of the world and after a great 2006 we expect to double our sales here this year,” said Dassault Falcon president and CEO John Rosanvallon. “Increased revenue from higher oil prices is certainly a factor, but we see countless examples of companies here broadening their interests to other areas of commerce and trade throughout the world.”

The decision to open a service center and parts depot was made as a response to the growing number of Falcon business jets based in the region. Dassault named Jet Aviation Dubai an authorized service center last year. A chief role for the company will be supporting the 20 Falcon 2000LX models recently ordered by Saudi Arabia’s National Air Service. 

Meanwhile, marking an important milestone for the French business jet builder, the 400th Falcon 900 to roll out of the company’s Bordeaux factory is about to be delivered to its new owner, China’s state-controlled financial services company CITIC. Destined for a home base in Beijing, the airplane is a Falcon 900DX model. Dassault currently sells two versions of the Falcon 900, the 900EX and DX. The first features a range of 4,500 nm while the lower priced DX can fly 4,100 nm.