EVENTS 114 Marrakech blazes a trail The third edition of the Marrakech Airshow – now seen as a prominent trade show for civil and military aviation in North Africa – proved to be a great success. Kelly Green was there to meet some of the companies that felt it important to be at the show. D assault Aviation appeared at the show for the first time, presenting its Falcon 2000LX aircraft. “We are present in the African continent and this is an interesting event so we decided to join this time,” explained Dassault Aviation’s vice-president, sales and marketing, Gilles Gautier. Although Falcon sales have so far been concentrated in South Africa, the company believes that strong demand for oil and gas and other natural resources suggests the entire region will become a major growth area for business aircraft in the years to come. “We remain encouraged by the potential for long-term growth in business aviation in the region,” said Gautier. “Business jets are now seen in the region as a powerful tool to enable quick and convenient access to customers within the African region and worldwide.” Around 60 Falcon jets are in operation in the region, 21% of them in North Africa alone. Ten other aircraft are on order for delivery in 2012-13, most of them for Dassault’s flagship aircraft, the Falcon 7X. Eight Falcon 7X aircraft are already in service in the region and three more will be delivered in the coming months. “To the emerging business class, Falcons are appreciated for their large and comfortable cabins, superior technology and efficiency and the value they add Continued on Page 116 PICTURES: MIKE DRUMMOND

Marrakech blazes a trail

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EVENTS

114

Marrakech blazesa trail

The third edition of the Marrakech Airshow – now seenas a prominent trade show for civil and militaryaviation in North Africa – proved to be a great success.Kelly Green was there to meet some of the companiesthat felt it important to be at the show.

Dassault Aviation appeared at the show for the first time, presenting itsFalcon 2000LX aircraft. “We are present in the African continent and thisis an interesting event so we decided to join this time,” explained Dassault

Aviation’s vice-president, sales and marketing, Gilles Gautier.Although Falcon sales have so far been concentrated in South Africa, the

company believes that strong demand for oil and gas and other natural resourcessuggests the entire region will become a major growth area for business aircraft inthe years to come.

“We remain encouraged by the potential for long-term growth in businessaviation in the region,” said Gautier. “Business jets are now seen in the region asa powerful tool to enable quick and convenient access to customers within theAfrican region and worldwide.”

Around 60 Falcon jets are in operation in the region, 21% of them in NorthAfrica alone. Ten other aircraft are on order for delivery in 2012-13, most of themfor Dassault’s flagship aircraft, the Falcon 7X.

Eight Falcon 7X aircraft are already in service in the region and three more willbe delivered in the coming months. “To the emerging businessclass, Falcons are appreciated for their large and comfortablecabins, superior technology and efficiency and the value they add

Continuedon Page 116

PICTURES: MIKE DRUMMOND