Dassault banking on Southeast Asian market

French aviation firm retains the second-largest market share in Thailand, writes Molpasorn Shoowong

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The launch event of Falcon 10X gathered over 400 customers and partners at Dassault's Mérignac facility in southwestern France.

Private jet operator Dassault Aviation remains bullish on Thailand and the Southeast Asian market this year, as it unveiled its new long-range business jet Falcon 10X, aiming to tap Asian family-owned companies.

Didier Raynard, senior vice-president of sales for Asia-Pacific, said the company sees demand from new buyers looking to expand their businesses, particularly in Asia-Pacific, where many younger family business owners are succeeding the previous generation.

At the Singapore Airshow last month, the company received strong interest from Asian customers.

He said these owners want to grow their businesses internationally, and face-to-face meetings remain crucial.

Among the company’s strategies is moving into a new product segment — the ultra-long-range category — competing with Canadian and US manufacturers via its new Falcon 10X.

A fully assembled jet was unveiled last week at its facilities in Mérignac, France. The new jet can fly farther than existing models, with a range of 7,500 nautical miles, and offering the market's largest cabin.