Image: Dassault Aviation

Aerospace company Dassault Aviation has said that all customer acceptance and departure flights from its completion facility in Little Rock, Arkansas, will use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The use of SAF at this site is part of the SAF plan implemented by Dassault to reduce the carbon footprint of its aviation operations. Under this plan, all flights operated by company-owned Falcon aircraft, whether for business, transport or Falcon support, are using SAF blends.

SAF offers carbon emission reductions of 80 to 90% compared to conventional jet fuel when used in its concentrated form. All Falcon aircraft are certified to use up to 50% SAF blends. The new Falcon 10X ultra long-range twin will be compatible for a 100% SAF blend from entry into service.

Although the business aviation industry accounts for just a tiny proportion (0.04%) of worldwide CO2 emissions, it is helping lead the way in decarbonisation, aiming for net zero emissions by 2050. SAF is currently the most promising solution to meet this target.

The Little Rock plant is supplied with SAF by Avfuel Corporation and Neste, the leading fuel supplier and SAF producer, respectively, in the industry.

Dassault designs and builds the family of Falcon business jets as well as the Rafale fighter jet. The company employs a workforce of over 12,000 and has production facilities in both France and the United States, and a worldwide service network. Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, over 2,650 Falcons have been delivered. The tri-jet and twin-engine lines offer outstanding efficiency and comfort, with ranges from 4,000 nm to 7,500nm. They include the new flagship Falcon 10X, the pioneering Falcon 7X and 8X, the extra widebody Falcon 6X, and the versatile Falcon 900LX and 2000LXS.

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