Saudia Private Aviation (SPA), the business aviation unit of Saudi Arabian Airlines, has taken delivery of the first of four Falcon 7Xs. "This marks the first Falcon 7X delivery in Saudi Arabia," says Wajdi Abdullah Al-Idrissi, head of SPA. "Two more are scheduled for delivery to SPA later this year and the final aircraft will come in 2011."

Al-Idrissi says SPA will use the Falcon 7X for vip charter flights around the world as well as within the Middle East. "With a range of 5,950 nm, the aircraft can connect major cities, such as New York to Riyadh, Dubai to Tokyo, or Rio de Janeiro to Jeddah. The 7X was carefully chosen out of many options due to its excellent technical specifications and performance. It is a unique aircraft that can fly non-stop for more than 11 hours. It does not require a long runway which saves valuable time because we will able to land at lower traffic airports. The 7X is distinctive and matchless in its class and conforms to the high standard requirements of royal and vip clients."

Al-Idrissi adds: "Though SPA was carved out of Saudi Arabian Airlines a year ago, our long experience spans more than 60 years in vip aircraft chartering, leasing, management and consultation and ground handling."

Dassault plans to establish an additional Falcon authorised service centre with Saudi Arabian Airlines in Jeddah. "It will support not only the expanding Falcon fleet based in the Middle East but also Falcon operators that fly regularly between the Asia Pacific region and Europe," says John Rosanvallon, president and ceo of Dassault Falcon.

Dassault has more than 50 Falcons based in the region and expects this number to increase by almost 50 per cent over the next three years.