After meeting with Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and other senior Arkansas leaders at the Paris Air Show this summer, Dassault Falcon Jet is expanding its presence in Little Rock to support the development and delivery of its new Dassault Falcon 6X business jet and future Falcon programs. This expansion will create 800 new jobs in the region.
Dassault Falcon Jet selected Little Rock as the location for its Falcon completion center expansion based on the availability of skilled workers, the presence of its existing facilities, and the strong support of state and local officials. Gov. Sanders and a delegation of Arkansas officials met with Dassault U.S. and French leadership at the Paris International Air Show in June 2023. These meetings signaled the Arkansas team’s support for the expansion project and helped establish the groundwork for future discussions.
“Today’s announcement cements Arkansas’ role as an aerospace powerhouse, growing our state’s largest export industry by 800 new jobs,” said Gov. Sanders. “I’m grateful to Dassault’s leadership for doubling down on their investment in Central Arkansas and will keep cutting taxes, growing our workforce, and improving our schools to help Arkansas’ aerospace industry continue to expand.”
“Our expected demand for new Falcons – such as our Falcon 6X which has just entered service – required that we evaluate our production needs including our completion capacity,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. “The State of Arkansas has always been a vital part of our success in Little Rock and we appreciate the leadership of Gov Huckabee Sanders as we build a bigger presence.”
“Dassault Falcon Jet is a worldwide leader in the aviation industry, and Arkansas is proud to be the home of its largest facility,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “We welcome Dassault’s continued investment in our state, and we congratulate them on their growth. This expansion will have a significant impact, creating 800 good-paying jobs for Arkansans.”
“Having a successful, more than 50 year relationship with one of the world’s best aerospace companies proves the value of our highly-skilled workforce, valued vendors, quality of place and business-friendly attitude of Little Rock,” said Jay Chesshir, President & CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber. “Dassault Falcon Jet investing in additional facilities for the Dassault Falcon 6X and future Falcon programs at the Clinton National Airport is a strong testament about the amazing craftsmen, engineers and skilled technicians already located here as well as those who will be trained in Little Rock with this expansion.”
“Dassault Falcon Jet has remained one of Little Rock’s best companies and corporate citizens for almost 50 years,” said Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. “This 800-job expansion amplifies this company’s importance as an economic engine for our city and region. We applaud Dassault Falcon Jet’s commitment to Little Rock and look forward to many more decades as community partners.”
“Dassault has been a tenant at the airport for the past 50 years and this new lease agreement will ensure that they remain our partner for 50 more,” said Bryan Malinowski, executive director of Clinton National Airport.
Dassault Falcon Jet employs approximately 1,400 workers across two facilities, totaling 1.2 million square feet, in Little Rock. This is the company’s largest facility in the world – in terms of both footprint and number of employees.
The company has operated in Arkansas since 1975 when it opened its aircraft completion facility in Little Rock. Unfinished – or “green” – aircraft are flown into the Little Rock Completion Center for the installation of optional avionics and custom interiors and exterior painting. In addition to the Completion Center, the company operates its Service Center, dedicated to Falcon customers, in Little Rock.
Dassault Falcon Jet has made multiple investments in its Little Rock facility in recent years. In 2015, Dassault Falcon Jet invested $60 million to expand its Little Rock Completion Center, adding 350,000 square feet of production space. The company previously invested $20 million in 2008 to add four state-of-the-art paint bays, in addition to new production, design, and warehouse space.
About Dassault Aviation
With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft (including 2,700 Falcons) delivered in more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation has built up expertise recognized worldwide in the design, development, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones and space systems. In 2022, Dassault Aviation reported revenues of €6.9 billion. The company has 12,700 employees.
About the Arkansas Economic Development Commission
At AEDC, we know economic advancement doesn’t happen by accident. We work strategically with businesses and communities to create strong economic opportunities, making Arkansas the natural choice for success. AEDC is a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce. For more information, visit ArkansasEDC.com.
About the Little Rock Regional Chamber
The Little Rock Regional Chamber is the principal business-driven leadership organization responsible for fostering the economic growth and development of the Little Rock region to ensure that business and industry may operate profitably and enhance the earning opportunities and quality of life for every citizen. For more information, visit littlerockchamber.com.
