Dassault Aviation could return to the mid-size cabin market within three years, but says it will not offer a product below the $15 million price mark.
"We have received a lot of interest from our customers in a smaller-cabin business jet similar in size to the twin-engine Falcon 20," says Dassault Falcon Jet president Jean Rosanvallon. "But it is not a short-term plan as our priority is the 900DX and 7X programmes."
In contrast to its competitors, Dassault has concentrated on the high-end business jet market from the $20.6 million mid-size Falcon 50EX to the $37 million long-range 7X. The French manufacturer has launched seven new aircraft programmes in 10 years and says 65% of its owners are loyal to the Dassault fleet. The company would utilise the technology developed for the 7X programme to bring a new aircraft to market with a competitive price tag.
Dassault's Falcon 900DX tri-jet, unveiled at the show, will cost $31.7 million, $3 million less than the 900EX and $450,000 more than the 900C it replaces (Flight International, 25 May - 1 June). The DX is positioned between the 2000EX and the 900EX and all three have the same fuselage diameter. Rosanvallon says the operating costs of the 5,000lb (22.3KN) thrust Honeywell TFE731-60-powered DX will be 5% below those of the 900C.
Source: Flight International
