Dassault Aviation Delivers First 8X Jet

An 8X jet parked at Dassault Falcon Jet in Little Rock. 

Dassault Aviation of Paris, France, on Wednesday delivered its first Falcon 8X aircraft to Amjet Executive of Athens, Greece, at Dassault’s facility in Mérignac, France.

In 2014, the company mounted a $60 million expansion of its finish-out center at the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport to accommodate the new aircraft. Dassault outfitted and painted 16 of the new ultra-long range flagship aircraft in Little Rock; another 11 are in final assembly at the Mérignac facility, Dassault Aviation said.

The 8X is entering service on schedule, two years after it was first announced, according to a news release. 

“To see our new flagship Falcon handed over right on time in perfect operating order gives us immense pride,” Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, said in the release. “We are very pleased to deliver the first example of this great new aircraft to Amjet, a long time Falcon operator.”

Amjet is the first company to operate the 8X. 

“As a pilot, I can personally vouch for the remarkable handling and piloting qualities of the big new trijet,” Amjet President Abakar Manany said in the release. “Its superb performance and cabin comfort will allow us to fill an ever wider range of needs and missions for our exceptionally demanding clientele.”

Dassault said it expects to deliver more aircraft over the coming weeks to a dozen countries, including the U.S., Brazil, United Arab Emirates and India.