Dassault delays Falcon 10X citing tighter post-Max certification rules¶
Latest schedule slippage means ultra-long-range twinjet will not enter service before 2029.
Dassault Aviation has pushed back service entry of its new Falcon 10X ultra-long-range business jet by up to two years – the programme’s second delay – citing a more “complicated” regulatory environment following the Boeing 737 Max crashes late last decade.
Under its most recent schedule, the French airframer was working towards a service-entry goal of late 2027 for the Falcon 10X, which made itsmaiden sortie on 19 June.
But revealing its half-year results on 22 July, Dassault now says the 7,500nm (13,900km)-range jet will not arrive before 2029.
Speaking to reporters, Dassault chief executive Eric Trappier blamed the delay on changes in the wake of the 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019: since then “certification has become a more complicated matter”, he says.
“Here we have a completely new aircraft with new certification rules that did not apply on the 6X,” he says, referring to Dassault’s preceding development programme which was approved in 2023.
“We expect the process to take longer so we remain cautious,” he adds.
Trappier says its current estimate is that it will take around two and a half years between the first flight and certification, putting the milestone in the latter half of 2029.
At its launch in 2021, the manufacturer had hoped it could achieve service entry by 2025 for theRolls-Royce Pearl 10X-poweredtwinjet.
However, itpushed back this goal in 2024citing issues with the supply chain and other challenges, such as working restrictions, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, there are signs of a stronger business jet market, with Dassault booking orders for 23 Falcons in the first half, a significant rise on the eight it received in the same period a year earlier.
Trappier says the “market is picking up” and is “pretty active” with “renewed interest in Asia”.
With the Falcon backlog now stood at 83 aircraft, Trappier says the “only challenge is to deliver on time”.
“We have supply chain issues – some suppliers are falling behind and of course our own cycles have gone on longer because of Covid and other issues.
“It is a bit challenging to step up deliveries; if we did manage to deliver 40 aircraft this year it would be very good.”
In the first six months, Dassault handed over 11 Falcons, although this will accelerate in the second half, he says. Its guidance is for 40 Falcon deliveries across the full year.Subscribe to gain access to all newsAlready have a subscription?Log in.Choose your subscriptionConsidering a corporate subscription?Contact usto find out more.
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