Saudi Arabia's Wallan Aviation has expanded its fleet with the purchase of a pre-owned Falcon 900EX EASy II, and an order for a new 900LX for delivery in the second quarter of this year.

The company will operate both aircraft for its own use with the option of offering one or both to the charter market. The sale marks Wallan Aviation's first entry into the Dassault Falcon range and large cabin segment.

Chairman Saad Wallan, who is also a board member of MEBAA and the Saudi Aviation Club, is a passionate aviator and has been a type rated pilot since 1992. He says: "We chose the Falcon 900LX because of its advanced technology and efficient performance and range, its go anywhere flexibility and its resale value. For example, the Falcon 900's range connects Riyadh or Dubai directly with Shannon airport in Ireland, where passengers can clear customs immigration for the whole of the US.

"Falcons are increasingly proving themselves with operators in the region and this helps develop experience and build confidence in the Falcon range, which also has attractive emissions and environmental credentials."

Wallan Aviation has been operating in the Middle East for 20 years and has also expanded to other services in the aviation field, including charter, jet maintenance and a flight academy. It was awarded the Certificate of Appreciation by the US Department of Commerce for strengthening American-Saudi ties. The company employs more than 800 staff, with a team of 35 dedicated specifically to aviation.

The Falcon 900LX flies 4,750 nm non-stop and can connect Dubai with Beijing, Jeddah to Cape Town, Riyadh to Chengdou, or Dammam to Singapore. Dassault says it already plans to deliver six Falcons to Middle East customers over the next 18 months, growing its fleet by ten per cent. More than 60 Falcon business jets currently operate in the region.