NetJets Europe to buy 30 jets worth $1 billion from Dassault Aviation

26 May, 2008: NetJets Europe, a sister company of NetJets based in the United States, has placed with Dassault Aviation fresh orders for 20 Falcon 2000LX jets worth about $720 million.

Dassault Aviation made the announcement of the sale at the start of the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition held in Geneva, Switzerland, earlier in May 2008.

The latest order is over and above a previous order for 10 other Falcon 2000LXs, a statement from Dassault Aviation said.

The total order value for the 30 aircraft comes to over $1 billion, according to Dassault.

The overall value of the NetJets contract includes a maintenance contract.

The aircraft ordered by NetJets Europe from Dassault Aviation will be powered by Pratt & Whitney engines made by United Technology Corporation. (United Technologies Corporation is a multinational conglomerate based in Hartford, Connecticut, the United States. It is also the 20th largest manufacturer of aircraft engines in the United State).

Dassault Aviation, which also makes combat aircraft, had booked 212 firm orders worth over $7.3 billion for its Falcon jets in 2007.

NetJets Europe, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated, specialises in the operation of business aviation jets.

NetJets Europe, which is Europe’s largest operator of business jets, is the main customer of Dassault Aviation.

NetJets offers fractional ownership and rental of private business jets. NetJets Incorporated, formerly called Executive Jet Aviation, was founded in 1964 as one of the first private business jet charter and aircraft management companies.

Dassault Aviation, based in France and a subsidiary of Dassault Group, makes military, regional and business jets.

John Rosanvallon, president and CEO of the Dassault Aviation’s Falcon Division, said in the statement: “This new order means that NetJets Europe will be adding over 60 new Falcons to its fleet over the next 8 years, starting from September 2008. This is an important endorsement for our company as well as our aircraft.”

Meanwhile, Dassault Aviation has unveiled a new version of its Falcon 900 corporate jet named the Falcon 900LX.

Dassault claims that the Falcon 900LX will be 7% more efficient than its predecessor owing to new winglets, which are attachments to an aircraft’s wingtips that offer reduced fuel consumption and improved handling.