Senior Editor

Jerry Siebenmark

In less than 12 months, Dassault Aviation has rolled up a network of MRO facilities that has netted 19 new factory-owned service centers and nearly 1,000 additional workers. Dassault’s aim is to strengthen the OEM’s global service footprint in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Oceania, Middle East, and Africa.

 


“We are committed to placing our industry-leading Falcon factory service capabilities as close as possible to customers around the world, while offering the same level of top-notch service for other prominent OEM brands,” said senior v-p of worldwide customer service and service center network Jean Kayanakis. “Our strategy is aimed at acquiring MRO operations that share our exceedingly high standards for customer service and that operate at the top end of the market.”

 


The French airframer kicked off its buying spree by announcing in January plans to acquire the business aircraft maintenance facilities of Luxaviation’s ExecuJet MRO centers in Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. The deal didn’t include ExecuJet’s FBOs and aircraft management business.

 


A month later, Dassault announced plans to acquire TAG Aviation’s MRO business, which included service centers in Geneva and Sion, Switzerland; Farnborough, UK; Paris Le Bourget; Lisbon, Portugal; and satellite operations in Luton, UK, and Moscow. That deal, which was completed on September 2, rebranded the service centers as TAG Maintenance Services, a wholly-owned Dassault Aviation affiliate, which will not only support Falcons but other OEM aircraft the TAG centers supported prior to the acquisition.

 


And in July, it acquired Ruag’s maintenance and FBO operations at Geneva and Lugano airports, which Dassault announced in September would be integrated into TAG Maintenance Services, including eventual consolidation of the Ruag and TMS maintenance approvals and processes. The Ruag FBO next door to the maintenance facility on the north side of the airport in Geneva, which was included in the acquisition, will continue operating under the Ruag brand name. The former Ruag maintenance facility is a Pilatus PC-12 service center and eventually will add PC-24 approval from Pilatus, according to Kayanakis. Some of the interiors expertise at the TMS facility on the south side of the airport will be moved to the north side, he said. “For optimization, it makes sense.” The organization, support services, and customer service are all being integrated. “This gives us more flexibility and capability,” he said, including the ability to service more and larger business jets in Geneva.

 


At Geneva, the former TAG and now TMS facility consists of two hangars that can fit up to 12 aircraft. About 80 percent of the work done there is on Falcon jets, with the remainder other OEMs' aircraft. In addition to its interiors capabilities, the south side facility has a curtained-off paint booth that can be erected to do anything from touch-ups to&nbsp;a complete paint job on a Falcon jet. Other capabilities at this TMS facility include full avionics installation and repair, a Part 21 office for engineering new modifications and upgrades, a non-destructive testing shop, tool calibration, lead-acid and nicad battery shops, and an AOG support center.&nbsp;

 


“Customers are glad to see us expanding our footprint,” Kayanakis said. “Our presence and backing of these facilities has increased around the world. This gives them confidence as well as choice.”

 


The ExecuJet acquisitions should take place soon, and this will add more new MRO facilities to the Dassault family in strategic locations. These facilities, which include key locations such as Dubai and South Africa, will retain the ExecuJet brand name and continue working on a variety of OEMs’ aircraft, not just Falcon jets.

 


“We have no plans to make any changes to the multi-OEM capability,” said Geoff Chick, senior v-p of Dassault Aviation’s worldwide service network. This is a very exciting year for customers to see the expansion. It seems we have the recipe somewhat right.”

 


Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO Eric Trappier said the company is always looking for opportunities to grow further. “However,” said Kayanakis, “we’re going back to strategy to expand our footprint in Asia and consolidate in Europe. There’s quite a lot to do there. It’s time to keep growing the activity for Falcon in these areas.”

 


In all, Dassault has a worldwide network of 50 company-owned and authorized service centers as well as a global Falcon spares distribution network comprising 16 logistics centers.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

2019 Marks Big Expansion for Dassault Falcon MRO Web

Three MRO acquisitions put "Falcon factory service capabilities as close as possible to customers," Dassault's Jean Kayanakis says.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Maintenance, repair, and overhaul group has 52 line stations in the U.S. and Europe

FEAM Aero Will Support SkyDrive eVTOL Aircraft Operators

Chad Trautvetter

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

40,000-sq-ft hangar allows company to expand aircraft maintenance services

Jets MRO Moves into New Digs at Dallas Executive Airport

Curt Epstein

The online tool helps operators find suitable service for aircraft

Aviation Heaven Rolls Out Global MRO Map

Projects were handled over a four-month span

ExecuJet Haite Pulls Off Embraer Legacy Triple Play

AmyWilder

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

New probes will be available in early 2025

New Fuel Probes for Cessna Caravan to Launch in 2025

Matt Thurber

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Industry experts believed the FAA letter overstepped bounds

FAA Rescinds Burdensome Maintenance Interpretation

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

NBAA-BACE 2019

More In Maintenance and Modifications

FEAM Aero Will Support SkyDrive eVTOL Aircraft Operators

Maintenance, repair, and overhaul group has 52 line stations in the U.S. and Europe

Jets MRO Moves into New Digs at Dallas Executive Airport

40,000-sq-ft hangar allows company to expand aircraft maintenance services

Aviation Heaven Rolls Out Global MRO Map

The online tool helps operators find suitable service for aircraft

ExecuJet Haite Pulls Off Embraer Legacy Triple Play

Projects were handled over a four-month span

New Fuel Probes for Cessna Caravan to Launch in 2025

New probes will be available in early 2025

FAA Rescinds Burdensome Maintenance Interpretation

Industry experts believed the FAA letter overstepped bounds

Ontic Expanding To the Sunshine State

Florida location will be an Ontic MRO global center of excellence

WingWork Launches Aircraft Mx Bookkeeping Software

Intuitive program promises to ease clerical tasks

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN