By Thu Trà

HÀ NỘI — French planemaker Dassault Aviation sees Việt Nam as one of its most promising markets in Asia-Pacific for ultra-long-range business jets as local companies expand overseas and demand aircraft capable of nonstop intercontinental travel.

Việt Nam's business jet fleet is dominated by large-cabin, long-range aircraft, making it well suited to Dassault's Falcon 10X, which completed its maiden flight in June.

"Việt Nam is already one of our largest markets in the region," Carlos Brana, executive vice president for Civil Aircraft at Dassault Aviation, told Việt Nam News in an interview.

"What's notable is not just the size of the fleet, but the type of aircraft being operated. A large share of the fleet is in the large, long-range category."

Brana said more than 85 per cent of Việt Nam's business jet fleet consists of large-cabin, ultra-long-range aircraft, reflecting demand from companies with growing international operations.

As Vietnamese conglomerates expand into Europe, North America and the Middle East, executives increasingly require aircraft capable of intercontinental travel, he said.

The Falcon 10X has a range of 7,500 nautical miles, allowing nonstop flights from Hà Nội or HCM City to destinations across Europe and much of the US.

Brana said demand is being driven primarily by Vietnamese companies with overseas operations, particularly manufacturers that need to travel frequently between factories and international markets.

He said business jets should be viewed as productivity tools rather than luxury assets.

"A business jet is a business tool that saves time and allows companies to operate more efficiently," Brana said.

He also said business aviation supports investment and economic activity by improving connectivity and enabling faster executive travel, while aircraft are also used for services such as medical evacuation. 

According to Dassault, Việt Nam and Japan are tied as the company's fifth-largest markets in Asia-Pacific, with seven Falcon aircraft each. India is the largest market with 20 aircraft, followed by China with 18 and Australia with nine.

Brana said Dassault expects growth in Việt Nam over the next five to 10 years to come less from fleet size than from increasing demand for aircraft capable of supporting more frequent long-haul business travel.

"For Dassault, the opportunity is not necessarily about Việt Nam becoming one of the region's largest business aviation markets. It is about increasing demand for ultra-long-range aircraft as Vietnamese companies continue expanding globally," he said 

Dassault currently provides heavy maintenance support for Vietnamese Falcon operators through its subsidiary, ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia, while line maintenance is carried out by operators with support from the manufacturer.

Brana said Việt Nam's business aviation fleet, estimated at around 16 aircraft of various types, remains too small to justify investment in a dedicated heavy maintenance facility.

However, he said such an investment could become commercially viable as the fleet expands.

Việt Nam is developing its commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities and could eventually build on that foundation to become a regional hub for business aviation maintenance, Brana said. — BIZHUB

Falcon 10X targets long-range corporate travel Dassault's Falcon 10X is the first purpose-built business jet to feature an all-composite wing, a design the company says reduces weight and improves aerodynamic performance. The aircraft has the largest cabin cross-section among purpose-built business jets, allowing owners to configure up to four separate living or working areas. Brana said the aircraft was designed for the global market but is particularly well suited to Asia, where long-distance travel is common. "When buyers consider purchasing an aircraft, they also want to know it is supported in the region and around the world," he said. — BIZHUB