Article Posted on : - Feb 05, 2011

Falcon. Photo by Dassault Aviation

NEW DELHI (PTI): Eyeing the growing private air charter market in India, Dassault aviation would showcase its long range business jet 'Falcon' at the upcoming Aero India show in Bangalore.

The French firm would also display the Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft which is in competition for the USD 10 billion Medium Range-Multi Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) deal of the Indian Air Force.

Claiming 60 per cent share in the Indian aviation market in the long range/large cabin aircraft category, Dassault Falcon is consolidating its position with increased local customer support and parts services in the country, a company spokesperson said.

Dassault Falcon is the part of French aircraft manufacturing company Dassault Aviation and deals with the Falcon business jet segment of the parent enterprise.

"We have been encouraged about the potential for long term growth in the business aviation in India. Business jets are now seen in the region as a powerful tool to enable quick and convenient access to customers within the country and worldwide," John Rosanvallon, president and CEO of Dassault Aviation said.

Presently, more than 20 Falcons are operating in the country from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Another 15 aircraft are scheduled for delivery to Indian customers within the next two years.

Almost half of the order for the new aircraft is for the Falcon 7X aircraft which is the first business jet with fully-digital flight control systems.

To support its growing fleet in India, the company has now based a customer service manager and opened a new spares distribution center in Mumbai.

Talking about the future potential of the company in the Indian market, Rosanvallon said, "I have no doubt.. that we will maintain a high level of market share."

He further added that the worldwide economic crisis did not impact the company's regional sales as severely, and the second half of 2010 was much active.