Dassault Falcon to expand in Little Rock; investing $100 million, adding 800 new jobs

French jet manufacturer Dassault Falcon announced Tuesday (Dec. 12) it will expand its Little Rock facility with a $100 million investment expected to create 800 new jobs. The jet completion center will add a newer business model, the Falcon 6x, to production.

Dassault already has about 1,400 aerospace workers at the Little Rock National Airport as part of its completion facility and service center for the multi-million dollar private jets. Today’s expansion is largest of two previous announcements – a $60 million dollar addition in 2015 and a $20 million expansion in 2008.

Officials on hand included Dassault Falcon CEO Thierry Betbeze, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders, and economic leaders and elected officials from the state, city and county.

“The future is now,” Betbeze told a crowd in one of the immaculate white fabrication hangars as he noted that Dassault will be 50 years old in June 2024. Its relationship with Little Rock extends almost as long dating back to 1975.

“This is our future today,” he said. “This is our future tomorrow… That future means we will invest several tens of millions of dollars to build new planes. The future means we will hire hundreds of new employees in Dassault Falcon Jet Corp.”

Gov. Sanders noted the expansion was a direct result of state and local efforts at the Paris Air Show this summer. The project has been in the works for more than six months. Aerospace is a nearly $1 billion industry in Arkansas and is the largest export category for the state.

“Today’s announcement cements Arkansas’ role as an aerospace powerhouse, growing our state’s largest export industry by 800 new jobs,” Sanders said. “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.”

The 6x jet is a smaller version of the 8x and 10x business jets that Dassault Falcon is known for. The estimated equipped price for a 6x is $52.75 million, according to the company’s website.

“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.”

“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.”