NetJets Europe’s order for 24 Dassault Falcon 7Xs reflects a powerful declaration of intent for both companies. For Dassault, the deal–valued at $1 billion–is its largest single business jet sale ever and a vital fillip for the 7X program, which now has an order book for 116 copies of the fly-by-wire trijet. For NetJets’ European subsidiary, the order appears to be a riposte to doubters who have questioned whether the operation can ever stand on its own feet financially.
The two dozen 7Xs are earmarked for delivery to NJE’s Portugal-based operating company, NetJets Transportes Aéreos SA, from the first quarter of 2008 through 2014. NetJets chairman and CEO Richard Santulli said the order represents the largest business jet order ever placed in Europe. Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO Charles Edelstenne said that this transaction will support 2,500 jobs in France and other European countries over the next six years.
