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Dassault Falcon Appoints Second Authorized Service Center in the Middle East

Dépèche transmise le 19 octobre 2010 par PRNewswire

ATLANTA, October 19, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Dassault Falcon has appointed Jeddah-based Saudia Private Aviation Engineering and Maintenance (SPA-E&M) as a Line Service Center, expanding the Falcon Authorized Service Center Network (ASC) in the Middle East.

SPA-E&M, the business aviation unit of Saudi Arabian Airlines, has more than 35 years of experience in maintaining and inspecting business aircraft of all makes, including Falcons. The 43,000 square foot facility has two large hangar areas as well as workshops and storage facilities, and employs more than 75 technicians.

"Saudia Private Aviation Engineering and Maintenance has a sterling reputation developed from decades of experience in the maintenance arena and delivering the highest level of service," said John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon. "Their appointment as an ASC will be of great benefit not only to our expanding fleet in the region, but also to those transient operators traveling to Europe, Asia and Africa."

SPA-E&M offers a full host of capabilities including a corrosion prevention and control program, aging aircraft inspections, landing gear repair and replacement, and paint services. It also houses a sheet metal, tire and battery servicing shop.

With 50 Falcons based in the region already, and an expected increase of 50% over the next three years, Dassault Falcon has been continually expanding its support network in the Middle East. Dassault's other ASC in the region, Jet Aviation Dubai, is a Line Service Center capable of servicing Falcon 900, 2000 and 7X aircraft. A Spare Parts Depot nearby in Dubai houses (US) $1.4 million in spares and tooling. Dassault also established a sales office in Dubai in 2008.

Earlier this year, SPA-E&M also took delivery of the 75th Falcon 7X - the first of four to be delivered to the company- which will be used for VIP charter flights within the Middle East and around the world. SPA-E&M holds Repair Station Certificates from the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) as well as the FAA.

About Dassault Falcon

Dassault Falcon is responsible for selling and supporting Falcon business jets throughout the world. It is part of Dassault Aviation, a leading aerospace company with a presence in over 70 countries across five continents. Dassault Aviation produces the Rafale fighter jet as well as the complete line of Falcon business jets. The company has assembly and production plants in both France and the United States and service facilities on multiple continents. It employs a total workforce of over 12,000. Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, over 2,000 Falcon jets have been delivered to 67 countries worldwide. The family of Falcon jets currently in production includes the tri-jets-the Falcon 900EX EASy, 900DX, 900LX, and the 7X-as well as the twin-engine 2000LX.

Press Contacts Dassault Aviation (France) Vadim Feldzer, Tel. +33-1-47-11-44-13 Marie-Alexandrine Munoz, Tel. +33-1-47-11-64-23 Dassault Falcon (USA) Ralph Aceti, Tel. +1-201-541-45-85 Andrew Ponzoni, Tel. +1-201-541-45-88

CONTACT: Press Contacts: Dassault Aviation (France), Vadim Feldzer, Tel.+33-1-47-11-44-13; Marie-Alexandrine Munoz, Tel. +33-1-47-11-64-23.Dassault Falcon (USA), Ralph Aceti, Tel. +1-201-541-45-85; Andrew Ponzoni,Tel. +1-201-541-45-88