General aviation industry sales up 24% to record $18.8 billion

A growing international business jet market helped propel the general aviation industry to an $18.8 billion banner year, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reported last week. Billings in 2006 were up 24.1 percent over the $15.1 billion reported in 2005 and represented an all-time high for general aviation plane-makers. Shipments topped 4,000 for the first time since 1982, when U.S. manufacturers alone delivered 4,266 airplanes. The 2006 total of 4,042 deliveries marked a 12.9 percent improvement over the 3,580 airplanes delivered in 2005.
"Worldwide economic growth, a strong export market and increased use of general aviation for both business and personal use all played a part in this outstanding year for general aviation," said GAMA Chairman John Grisik, who is executive vice president, operational excellence and technology for Goodrich Corp.
Speaking during GAMA's Annual Industry Review last week, Grisik pointed to the growing international market as a strong driver in the growing deliveries. While the North American market remained stable, U.S. general aviation manufacturers reported a 60 percent increase in exports in 2006, he said.
Grisik also was encouraged that the market will continue to improve internationally in 2007. The real gross domestic product is expected to grow by more than 10 percent in China, seven percent in India and five percent in Russia for the next several years, GAMA noted.
20/02/07 Kerry Lynch/The Weekly of Business Aviation/Aviation Week, US

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Categories: foreign feb 2007, General Aviation feb 2007