Dassault Falcon Signs 40 Year Lease With Little Rock Airport

Economy withstanding, they’ll be making jet airplanes in Little Rock for a long time.

Today, the Little Rock National Airport and Dassault Falcon Jet Corp. announced an amended lease agreement effective through at least 2040 with an additional 10-year option at the end of 2040.

This agreement, which will keep the jet fabricator at the airport through the next four decades, is worth several hundred million dollars in future revenues.

Under the new lease, Dassault will gain use of additional land and facilities at the airport for its operations that currently employ 1,800 people with an annual payroll of $150 million. Dassault is one of the largest employers in Arkansas.

“We are happy to announce the extension of our agreement with Dassault Falcon Jet here at the Little Rock National Airport,” said LRNA Executive Director Ron Mathieu. “This is a great accomplishment for Little Rock National Airport, the city of Little Rock and central Arkansas. I would like to thank the commission for their vision and leadership during the lease negotiation process, and staff for their hard work and dedication. I would also like to thank Dassault for being a good corporate partner and their commitment to Arkansas.”

“We are pleased to continue our 30-year relationship with Little Rock National Airport, the city of Little Rock and the state of Arkansas,” said Jeff Griffin, Vice President of Finance for Dassault Falcon Jet. “I commend the Airport Commissioners and staff as well as local leaders in Little Rock for continuing this partnership that has created good paying jobs for this area."

Under the new agreement, Dassault will lease more than four million square feet of land and 900,000 square feet of total hangar and office space.