Paris-based Dassault Falcon Service has put into service a Falcon 900EX EASy which has been used for humanitarian missions as well as private charters.

Jean-Louis Cehovic, director of flight operations, says: "This is the first aircraft of this type available for charter in France. It is a brand new aircraft with a state-of-the-art flight deck that offers the highest level of comfort and safety."

Its versatility, and the skill of the pilot, was tested when it made an humanitarian trip to Bhutan's capital Paru. "It is an aircraft suited to the challenge of landing at an airport that is set in a mountainous area,"

says Cehovic.

The cabin can accommodate up to 14 passengers and converts into six real beds at night.

Cehovic says the EASy flight deck has won praise from pilots because it improves situational awareness in the cockpit and reduces workload.

More than 100 Falcons are now flying with EASy avionics.

DFS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, currently operates a Falcon 50, three 2000s, one 900B, a 900EX, and the 900EX EASy. It provides Falcon management, flight services and technical support as well as maintenance, modifications, troubleshooting and technical services.

Configurations of the new aircraft include combinations of 14 seats and six beds in a wide cabin.

Cehovic says: "One of the biggest advantages is its long range. We are finding that there is a lot of demand for flights to Asia from Paris and other European capitals including London. A few years ago we used to see a demand of flights to Asia once or twice a year but now it is once a week. Many of them are from Europe to China and sometimes the reverse. We position the aircraft in Europe to match the customer's needs but there is quite a lot of demand from the U.K."