Dassault Falcon has appointed Jeddah-based Saudia Private Aviation Engineering and Maintenance (SPA-E&M) as a Line Service Center, expanding the Falcon Authorised Service Center Network (ASC) in the Middle East.

SPA-E&M, the business aviation unit of Saudi Arabian Airlines, has more than 35 years of experience in maintaining and inspecting business aircraft of all makes, including Falcons. The 43,000 square foot facility has two large hangar areas as well as workshops and storage facilities, and employs more than 75 technicians.

'Their appointment as an ASC will be of great benefit not only to our expanding fleet in the region, but also to those transient operators travelling to Europe, Asia and Africa,' said John Rosanvallon, president and CEO of Dassault Falcon.

SPA-E&M offers a full host of capabilities including a corrosion prevention and control program, aging aircraft inspections, landing gear repair and replacement, and paint services. It also houses a sheet metal, tyre and battery servicing shop.

With 50 Falcons based in the region already, and an expected increase of 50 per cent over the next three years, Dassault Falcon has been continually expanding its support network in the Middle East.

Dassault's other ASC in the region, Jet Aviation Dubai, is a Line Service Center capable of servicing Falcon 900, 2000 and 7X aircraft. A Spare Parts Depot nearby in Dubai houses $1.4 million in spares and tooling. Dassault also established a sales office in Dubai in 2008.

Earlier this year, SPA-E&M also took delivery of the 75th Falcon 7X - the first of four to be delivered to the company- which will be used for VIP charter flights within the Middle East and around the world.

SPA-E&M holds Repair Station Certificates from the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) as well as the FAA.-TradeArabia News Service