Dubai Airshow: 7X earns Indian ticket

Dassault's flagship Falcon 7X has earned its DGCA Indian Type Certificate. The Falcon 2000 and 900 models are already certified in India and around 16 large cabin Falcons are in service in the country.

The first Falcon 7X in India will be delivered in January 2010 to Religare Voyages Limited, a charter company based in New Delhi., which forms part of a multi-billion dollar integrated transnational promotions group straddling financial services, diagnostics, health and wellness, and IT services. Religare Voyages currently operates a Falcon 2000, together with smaller jets and turboprops.

A dozen other large cabin Falcons including several 7X aircraft are currently on order for customers in India. Dassault attributes the popularity of the type to the Falcon’s performance, especially for short field operations, high temperatures and elevated runways. Dassault has also established a spares centre in Mumbai, as well as a customer service team. The company also has a liaison office in Delhi, and service Indian DGCA centres.

John Rosanvallon president Falcon jets said: “India has been one of our strongest markets over several years so the Falcon 7X type certification is of real significance.” He added: “As the country’s economy continues to strengthen, there will be an increasing need to connect India efficiently with other major centres of trade around the world. For example, the Falcon 7X provides direct, non-stop access from Chennai, India with London City Airport located in the centre of London.”