Dassault Aviation brought its ultra-long-range Falcon 8X flagship and high-performance Falcon 2000LXS to this year’s Singapore Air Show, held in February at Changi Exhibition Centre

Dassault also leveraged the event to highlight its new ultra-widebody Falcon 6X, currently in development with first flight expected early next year. The 6X will offer the largest cabin cross-section of any purpose-built business jet. A full-scale cabin mockup of the large twinjet was featured at the static display — its first showing in the region.

The 6,450 nm/11,945 km Falcon 8X has been a market leader in Asia/Pacific since the first aircraft was delivered in the region three years ago. The 8X can fly non-stop from Hong Kong to London, Singapore to Zurich or Beijing to New York, but has the versatility to land at restricted airports like London City that are typically inaccessible to large business jets. The aircraft’s spacious cabin is the quietest of any business jet on the market and offers a shower option and a large entryway with a certified crew rest for very long flights, the company said.

The 4,000 nm/7,410 km Falcon 2000LXS has also proven popular with corporate customers in the Asia Pacific region. Equipped with full-length inboard slats and high-mach blended winglets that enhance approach and landing capabilities as well as balanced field length, the 2000LXS offers a short-field capability comparable to smaller midsize business jet models but with a range and comfort level far better than that of those aircraft. The airplane can fly from Singapore to Sydney or Singapore to Dubai non-stop.

The Asia-Pacific region is also anticipated to be a major market for the 5,500 nm/10,186 km Falcon 6X, which will be the most spacious, modern and versatile twin in its class.

“We expect the Asia-Pacific region to be a major driver for our ultra-widebody Falcon 6X, as it is already proving to be for our Falcon 8X flagship,” said Dassault Aviation Chairman/CEO Eric Trappier. “The region has always been a key market for Falcon aircraft, whose efficiency, cabin comfort, and safety level are important criteria for local operators.”

Currently, over 100 Falcons are based in the Asia-Pacific region, half of them being late generation models like the Falcon 8X and the Falcon 7X.

The Falcon 6X will offer a cabin measuring 2.58 m wide, 1.98 m high and 12.3 m long – and will be capable of flying directly from Singapore to Paris. It will be equipped with a new-generation Digital Flight Control System that provides better manoeuvrability by controlling all moving surfaces, including a new control surface, called a flaperon, adapted from Dassault fighter aircraft.

Development of the 6X, including its Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812D engine, is on schedule and final assembly of the first aircraft will begin early this year. The first flight is set for 2021 and certification and initial delivery are planned for 2022.