Saudi's Wallan buys two Dassault business jets

Dassault Falcon, the business jet arm of Dassault Aviation, said on Wednesday it has sold two business jets to Saudi-based Wallan Aviation.

A pre-owned Falcon 900EX EASy II will be delivered by the end of the 2012 and a new Falcon 900LX in the second quarter of 2013, it said in a statement without giving a value to the deal.

Wallan Aviation will operate both aircraft for the company's own use and with the option to offer one or both aircraft to the charter market.

The tri-engine Falcon 900LX flies 4,750 nautical miles non-stop and can connect Dubai with Beijing, Jeddah to Cape Town, Riyadh to Chengdou, Dammam to Singapore.

Wallan Aviation has been operating in the Middle East for 20 years and has also expanded to other services in the aviation field, including charter, jet maintenance and a flight academy to train the next generation of pilots.

The company employs more than 800 staff, with a team of 35 dedicated specifically to aviation.

Saad Wallan, chairman of Wallan Aviation, said: "We chose the Falcon 900LX because of its advanced technology and efficient performance and range, its go anywhere flexibility and its resale value.

"Falcons are increasingly proving themselves with operators in the region and this helps develop experience and build confidence in the Falcon range, which also has attractive emissions and environmental credentials."

Dassault already plans to deliver six Falcons to Middle East customers over the next 18 months, growing its fleet by 10 percent.

More than 60 Falcon business jets already operate in the region.

Gilles Gautier, vice president of sales for Dassault Falcon, said: "We are delighted to announce this Falcon sale to Wallan Aviation. It represents the confidence that is returning to the regional market and underlines the commitment we continue to make to the Middle East, where we have invested to expand our infrastructure and support team."

Dassault Falcon said it continues to expand its Middle East sales and support network. In addition to a Dubai office, the network includes Authorised service centres in Dubai and Jeddah, a spares distribution centre in Dubai and a technical office in Jeddah.