Dassault Aviation delivered 40 Falcon business jets last year, one fewer than it did in 2018, the French aircraft manufacturer announced today. “While we had guided for 45 Falcon deliveries in 2019, we had to face a difficult market,” it said.

Falcon net order intake was on par with deliveries, resulting in a 1:1 book-to-bill ratio. This was two fewer than the orders for 42 Falcons that the company logged in 2018, it said. Overall Falcon backlog at the end of last year stood at 53 units, unchanged from a year earlier, the company added.

Dassault Aviation will release its full-year results on February 27.

Meanwhile, the company continues to make progress on its Falcon 6X program. According to Dassault, the design is frozen, critical subassemblies already are being completed, engine testing is on track, and final assembly of the first Falcon 6X is “just around the corner.”

The first completed 6X wing subassembly is expected to be shipped by April to Dassault’s Bordeaux-Merignac facility, where it will be mated to the first fuselage section. Final assembly of the first 6X is set for “early 2020,” with first flight expected next year and planned entry into service in 2022.