KUALA LUMPUR: French business jet and military aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation SA is showcasing its long-range, large-cabin Falcon 8X aircraft on static display at the Selangor Air Show 2024 from Sept 12-14.
Dassault Aviation Asia Pacific general manager for civil aircraft Jean-Michel Jacob said the company is excited to show its support for the growth of business aviation in Malaysia and participate in the air show.
"Falcon aircraft such as the 8X are ideally suited to Malaysia because of the aircraft's range and unique short take-off and landing capability," he said.
He added that Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawakhave many small airports with short runways that require an aircraft with Falcon's capabilities.
Two examples are Kerteh Airport in Terengganu and Lahad Datu Airport in Sabah which have a 1362m and 1371m long runway respectively.
The Falcon 8X, powered by Pratt & Whitney PW307D engines, has advanced features such as the digital flight control system and FalconEye combined vision system that enhance safety, comfort and performance of the business jet.
The aircraft has a range of 11,945km and can fly directly non-stop from Kuala Lumpur to London, Cape Town, Auckland and Honolulu.
Jacob said there are eight Falcon aircraft based in Malaysia, which makes the country Dassault Aviation's largest market in Southeast Asia for business jets.
He added that the company's Asia Pacific headquarters is in Malaysia, showing its commitment to the growth of business aviation sector in the country and the region.
In May this year, Dassault Aviation also opened a 149,500 sqft aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Subang Airport via its wholly-owned subsidiary ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia Sdn Bhd (ExecuJet).
The purpose-built MRO facility serves the company's customers across Asia and as far as North Africa.
The company employs some 100 personnel at its MRO facility, which is Malaysia's largest business aviation MRO organisation.
"Providing in-country support is important to Falcon operators and helps in the development of Malaysia's aviation ecosystem," Jacob said in a statement.
He added that Malaysia's strategic location and qualified and skilled workforce makes the country as an ideal hub for business aviation.
ExecuJet is also one of the main exhibitors at the Selangor Air Show 2024 where the company promote its capabilities in airframe line and heavy maintenance, aircraft on ground support, cabin interior refurbishment, aircraft modifications, avionics upgrades, satcom installations and component repair.