1H Falcon Deliveries Flat, but Will Be Down for 2020

Dassault Aviation delivered 16 Falcons in the first half, one fewer than a year ago, but now plans to deliver only 30 business jets this year, down from its original guidance of 40, the French aircraft manufacturer announced today.

While it has been able to keep development on the Falcon 6X going during the Covid-19 crisis, Dassault has postponed this year’s planned announcement of its “next Falcon,” dubbed NX, due to the pandemic.

According to Dassault chairman and CEO Eric Trappier, the company has not experienced any order cancellations for Falcons in the first half of 2020, but some customers have delayed deliveries to next year. This has prompted the company to trim its delivery forecast for this year, he said. “People will collect these orders next year,” Trappier added.

In the first six months of 2020, Dassault took in net orders for five Falcons, two fewer than in the same period last year. At the end of June, the company’s backlog for Falcons stood at 42 aircraft, down from 53 at the end of 2019.

Meanwhile, the Falcon 6X is on track to begin flight testing early next year, with service entry in 2022. However, the NX has been “put off until it is easier to travel,” Trappier said, adding that he prefers to make the announcement in person with the aircraft’s partners.