The delivery in January of Dassault’s new Falcon 8X long-range jets to an Indian client boosted the French manufacturer’s confidence that Asia will generate sales growth. To bolster its position in the Asian market, Dassault is preparing to open a new service center in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur later this year.

Speaking at this week’s Aero India show in Bangalore, where Dassault displayed a Falcon 8X and a 2000LXS, senior vice president Carlos Brana said that the resurgence of economic growth in India will now drive business aviation growth. He noted the emergence of more wealthy Indians younger than 40, suggesting that these prospective customers might be less inclined to view business aircraft as unwarranted elitist status symbols—a perception issue that some believe has constrained growth in the Indian market. There are currently 25 Falcons operating in India.

Dassault now has a spares warehouse in Mumbai, containing approximately $5 million worth of inventory. It also has a liaison office in Dehli. Local operators can get authorized line maintenance support from Ligare Engineering in Delhi and other third-party maintenance providers for the Falcon series include Taj Air and Air Works, both based in Mumbai, but with satellite facilities in other locations.

According to Brana, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia are emerging as promising markets across Asia. He told AIN that growth in these countries mainly starts with pre-owned aircraft sales, but is likely to lead to deals for new aircraft.

According to a Dassault, the Falcon 8X’s FalconEye combined vision system is a benefit for operators in the Indian market, where some airfields are quite challenging.