- German operator LUMINAIR has taken delivery of its first factory-new Falcon 900LX (D-AJES) at Paris-Le Bourget, the first of three ordered in 2024, following the earlier induction of a pre-owned 900LX this month.
- The Falcon 900LX becomes LUMINAIR’s long-range flagship, with all aircraft equipped with Ka-band connectivity; executives highlight its quiet cabin, advanced avionics, and passenger-focused design.
- Founded in 2024, LUMINAIR has quickly emerged as one of Europe’s fastest-growing charter operators, logging 1,300 flight hours in its debut year with Citation XLS aircraft and now expanding decisively into the heavy-jet market.
German charter operator LUMINAIR has taken delivery of a brand-new Dassault Falcon 900LX, the first of three aircraft ordered in 2024. The handover, held at Dassault’s Paris-Le Bourget facility, was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the management teams of both companies.
The delivery of D-AJES follows the addition earlier this month of a pre-owned Falcon 900LX (D-AFLY, MSN 332), which joined LUMINAIR’s fleet ahead of the factory-new jets. With both aircraft now in service and two further new-builds scheduled, the operator is positioning the Falcon 900LX as the backbone of its long-range operations.
LUMINAIR’s Co-founder Algernon Trotter said: “With the acquisition of these aircraft, LUMINAIR will have the youngest and most modern fleet of Falcon 900LX aircraft in the world. We are sure that with our 100% dedicated floating-fleet charter model and our unwavering commitment to our clients on service and reliability, that these aircraft will become a mainstay of Europe’s heavy jet market.”
The Falcon 900LX has been selected as the flagship of LUMINAIR’s long-range fleet. All aircraft will be equipped with Ka-band high-speed connectivity, which the operator intends to include in every charter quotation.
Julia Müller, Chief Experience Officer, LUMINAIR, praised the type’s cabin comfort: “On our recent delivery flight, I was struck by how exceptionally quiet the cabin is. The spacious, refined interior and smooth flight characteristics will resonate with clients. Our experienced cabin team has invested months in fine-tuning onboard service that will be sure to win-over passengers and brokers.”
LUMINAIR’s business model emphasises operational reliability and high utilisation to maximise investor returns. In its first year, the company recorded 1,300 flight hours across 192 destinations with its Citation XLS fleet, a performance it now aims to replicate in the long-range charter segment.
David Bergold, Chief Executive Officer, LUMINAIR, said: “This is a system we developed and refined over more than a decade of experience. We provide our clients with a reliable, customer-focused and operationally robust experience. Our aircraft lessors receive a strong return on investment on asset purchases. We are delighted to bring these superb aircraft to market to diversify our portfolio and cement our position as Europe’s most dynamic business jet operation.”
Falcon 900LX and LUMINAIR: Expanding horizon
Dassault markets the Falcon 900LX as offering a maximum range of 4,750 nautical miles (≈8,800 km) and a top speed of Mach 0.84, connecting long city pairs such as Geneva–Chicago and Mumbai–London. Its trijet design provides additional safety and runway flexibility, including clearance for steep-approach airports like London City.
Equipped with EASy II avionics and the option of the FalconEye combined vision system, the jet is designed for both efficiency and challenging operations. The cabin integrates the FalconCabin HD+ system, giving passengers app-based control of lighting, entertainment and climate, supported by Dassault’s FalconConnect Ka-band broadband for streaming and business connectivity in flight.
For LUMINAIR, founded in 2024 and granted its German AOC later that year, the Falcon 900LX represents a strategic leap. The operator made its name with a floating-fleet charter model built around the Citation XLS, logging more than a thousand flight hours in its first year.
By investing in both pre-owned and factory-new Falcons, the company is diversifying its fleet into the heavy-jet category, aiming to establish a unique position with one of the youngest and most modern Falcon 900LX fleets in Europe.
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