Business & GA

Dassault Aviation saw a strong increase in orders in 2004, to a total of g4 billion ($5.1 billion) compared with €2.4 billion in 2003. A French government order for 59 Rafale fighters and bookings for 69 Falcon business jets boosted the total, the company says. Dassault has 51 firm orders for the newest aircraft in the Falcon family, the 7X, which it unveiled at a roll-out ceremony in Bordeaux last week. The company's sales also rose to €3.5 billion from €3.3 billion in 2003, with Falcon aircraft accounting for 61% of this total.