Czech operator ABS Jets has taken delivery of its first Dassault Falcon 7X, overcoming the challenges caused by COVID-19. The aircraft was flown from Dubai under special permits and positioned at Prague Vaclav Havel airport. The successful delivery also marks the milestone of the first aircraft manufactured by Dassault with a Czech registration.

The ABS Jets delivery team experienced significant challenges and delay because of the COVID-19 restrictions. Director of ground operations and Falcon 7X project manager Michal Pazourek summarises the difficult delivery process: “When the pandemic was declared, our CAMO engineer was in Singapore supervising the pre-purchase inspection, and we were forced to pull him out before restrictions tightened and flights to southeast Asia stopped. With support from the Czech CAA, the aircraft was flown to Dubai to finalise the aircraft deregistration process and acceptance flight. Strict travel restrictions then followed in the UAE. With an already compromised delivery schedule, we deregistered the aircraft in Dubai and flew a 7X crew out on another ABS Jets aircraft to pick it up for the delivery flight, which was done with a special permit. The process was challenging and long, and we are all relieved the aircraft is now under our roof.”

The Falcon 7X is the 11th long range jet to be added to the ABS Jets commercial fleet and the second in the last few weeks. ABS Jets COO Jan Králík adds: “We are honoured to be the first company operating an exceptional Falcon 7X here in the Czech Republic. Receiving and managing aircraft under such unusual circumstances is challenging, but I am thrilled the team accomplished the task in the most efficient manner possible. Of course, nothing would be possible without great support from our local CAA, but ABS Jets has proved itself to be a flexible, versatile company that delivers on customer promises.”

The three-engined 7X is configured for 14 passengers and features sharply angled winglets, enabling it to fly at a maximum operating speed of 0.9 Mach, connecting city pairs such as Prague and Miami. It is designed to fly at up to 51,000 ft while maintaining comfortable cabin pressure. Despite three engines, cabin noise is low, and fuel consumption is said to be 15 to 30 per cent less than other jets in its class.