The French Air Force/Armée de l'Air has begun phasing out two Falcon 2000LX jets used for state VIP transport. As part of this transition, a first Falcon 900EX EASy was inducted in December 2024, ch-aviation research has revealed.
The newly inducted aircraft, F-RAFS (msn 145), commenced operations under the 'CTM' code for France's Military Air Transport Command (Commandement de Transport Aérien Militaire Français - COTAM) on December 6, 2024, after extensive, two-year-long modifications by Jet Aviation at Basel/Mulhouse/Freiburg, CH airport. The aircraft is now based out of Paris Villacoublay-Velizy.
The 19.7-year-old jet was originally operated by Dassault Aviation from 2005 to 2018, before joining the fleet of Luxaviation Portugal. In 2022, it was reregistered in the Isle of Man as M-JAFR for the refurbishment process by Jet Aviation France.
This is the first of two Falcon 900EX EASy to replace the Falcon 2000LX jets, which average 13 years of age. F-RAFS directly replaces Falcon 2000LX F-RAFD (msn 237), which was retired in September 2024 and is now parked at Paris Le Bourget. The second Falcon 2000LX, F-RAFC (msn 231), is scheduled for withdrawal in early 2025.
Currently, Jet Aviation France is the registered owner of a 16.5-year-old Falcon 900EX EASy, M-AFAJ (msn 200), parked at Basel airport.
This fleet update is part of the 2024-2028 multi-year action plan of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces. The plan includes the sale of aircraft and aims to standardise the fleet operated by Transport Squadron 60 for government use. The target fleet will consist of two Falcon 900(M), two Falcon 900EX EASy, two Falcon 7X, and an A330-200.
