Falcon maker jets in to land VIP deal

French business jet maker Dassault hopes to catch the attention of the defence planners with a $90 million plane it says could replace the ageing and sometimes unreliable Boeing 757s for VIP flights.

Dassault says it has yet to engage with the NZDF but hopes a promotional visit with the sleek Falcon 8X could spark interest from fleet buyers who will recommend which aircraft carries the Prime Minister and other dignitaries .

Its Asia-Pacific president, JeanMichel Jacob, said many other governments used Falcon aircraft for VIP transport and the firm wanted to make this country aware of what was available.

“We think it might be in their interest to consider this to replace their Boeing 757 — with an aircraft like a Falcon 8X.”

With capacity for up to 16 passengers compared to the 757’s 160, the Falcon is much smaller but more agile with ability to fly much further (12,000km compared to 7400km), faster and into smaller airfields. The 757s were nearing the end of their commercial airline life when bought by the RNZAF last decade and, although substantially overhauled and modified, there have been some embarrassing breakdowns, notably on a trade mission to India in 2016. Replacements are expected around the middle of next decade.

Of 16 private jets owned by New Zealanders (including Graeme Hart, Craig Heatley and Sir Robert Jones), four were Falcons, up from just one 16 months ago.

Dassault says the number of business jets in New Zealand had increased because there are more New Zealand businesses operating internationally and there is an increasing number of high net-worth individuals visiting New Zealand for business and leisure.

Jacob said the aircraft was being shown to three potential clients here, including one in Hawke’s Bay where the plane was heading overnight. He said closing a deal could take up to two years.

New Zealand was considered an ideal market for long-range, largecabin business jets because to get from New Zealand to Europe, North America and Asia, a long-range aircraft are needed. The Falcon 8X can fly non-stop to Pacific Rim cities such as Los Angeles and Beijing.

Ninety-year-old Dassault also makes combat aircraft that have fought in major conflicts around the world. Jacob said cutting-edge technology used in military planes has been used in the company’s business jets.