Worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales climbed 10.2 percent last year, to $3.005 billion, from $2.728 billion in 2018, according to figures released today by the Aircraft Electronics Association. “For the first time, the business and general aviation avionics industry has reported more than $3 billion in year-end sales,” said AEA president and CEO Mike Adamson. “In addition, the industry has reported an increase in year-over-year sales for three straight years and 12 consecutive quarters.”
Of 2019 total sales, $1.657 billion—or 55.1 percent—was for retrofits while forward fits (airframer installations as part of original equipment) accounted for $1.348 billion, AEA said. The AEA Avionics Market Report is based on the sales figures from 23 avionics manufacturers. Among manufacturers that separated their sales figures by geographic region, 74.1 percent of sales occurred in the U.S. and Canada, while 25.3 percent were from other international markets.
Dollar amounts that are reported are net sales price, not manufacturer’s suggested retail price, and cover all business and general aviation aircraft electronics sales, including all components and accessories in the cockpit and cabin, software upgrades, portables, and certified and noncertified aircraft electronics, as well as all hardware from tip to tail, batteries, and chargeable product upgrades. The sales figures don’t include repairs and overhauls, extended warranty, or subscription services.