Dassault To Open MRO in Melbourne, Florida

The French aerospace company Dassault has recently announced plans to open a Maintenance, Repair, and Operations facility (MRO) in Melbourne, Florida. The 175,000-square-foot facility is set to break ground in 2023 and be completed in 2024. Here, heavy maintenance overhauls, C-Checks, and modification services will be provided to customers from both North and South America, with enough space for up to 18 Falcon jet models.

According to CEO Eric Trappier, Dassault will be fervently expanding its footprint in the US market to proactively allow for demands to be met with new customers. The facility will allow for the creation of new high-paying jobs which will add to the 35,000-strong Space Coast aviation personnel workforce. The company also aims to form worthwhile connections with nearby universities such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach and Florida Institute of Technology.

As for the future of Dassault, the corporate jet company plans on constructing two more facilities in Dubai and Kuala Lumpur in the coming years. With the addition of the Melbourne facility, Dassault will be joining industry competitor Embraer which also has an MRO located at the Melbourne International Airport. In addition, however, Embraer also constructs aircraft at Melbourne so depending on demand, it is entirely possible that Dassault may consider adding a jet assembly facility as well as the MRO, indicating positive growth for the company.