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Business and general aviation fixed-wing shipments began a recovery across the board last year, reaching a total of 2,630 units worth $25.2 billion, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Releasing the global shipment totals during its annual State of the Industry press conference in Washington, D.C. today. GAMA reported business jet, turboprop, and piston/electric deliveries for 2021 were up 222 units from the 2,408 in 2020. As a result, billings for these aircraft rebounded to $21.6 billion last year, compared with $20 billion in 2020.
In addition, helicopter shipments are up significantly year-over-year, even without Leonardo yet reporting year-end totals (Leonardo typically reports its results in March). Helicopter shipments had leaped by 25.3 percent, to 826 aircraft, and billings by 28 percent, to $3.7 billion, in 2021, the association reported.
The totals, GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce noted, are “converging on figures that were seen before the outset of the pandemic.”
Business jet makers handed over 710 aircraft last year, marking a 10.2 percent jump from the 644 delivered in 2020 when the pandemic had initially halted activity and then dampened sales. However, while still ongoing, the pandemic had a different effect last year, pushing new buyers into the industry and helping to propel sales. Most of the business jet OEMs reported increases in 2021, with the exception of Gulfstream and Dassault, and nearly all that provided book-to-bill details saw yearly increases that were well above 1:1, with some closer to 2:1, pushing up backlogs.
Turboprop deliveries, meanwhile, reached 527 units in total, a 19 percent jump from a year earlier when 443 aircraft were delivered.
Light aircraft edged up from 1,321 units to 1,393. For the first time, GAMA reported this category as piston and electric, reflecting the entrance of all-electric aircraft such as the Pipistrel Virus SW 128 Velis Electro. Forty-eight of those aircraft were shipped last year.
“The strength and the tenacity of the general aviation industry have provided a strong foundation for the industry to rebound from pandemic-related setbacks with a powerful showing in 2021,” Bunce said, adding this bounce occurred in the face of workforce and supply chain challenges that are still ongoing. “Despite this adversity, there is robust interest and excitement in our industry as we continue to further our advancements in innovation, technology, and environmental sustainability.”
Business and general aviation fixed-wing shipments began a recovery across the board last year, reaching a total of 2,630 units worth $25.2 billion, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Releasing the global shipment totals during its annual State of the Industry press conference in Washington, D.C., on February 23, GAMA reported business jet, turboprop, and piston/electric deliveries for 2021 were up 222 units from the 2,408 in 2020. As a result, billings for these aircraft rebounded to $21.6 billion last year, compared with $20 billion in 2020.
In addition, helicopter shipments were up significantly year-over-year, even without Leonardo yet reporting year-end totals (Leonardo was expected to release results in mid-March). Helicopter shipments leaped by 25.3 percent, to 826 aircraft, and billings by 28 percent, to $3.7 billion, in 2021, the association reported.
The totals, GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce noted, are “converging on figures that were seen before the outset of the pandemic.”
Michael Amalfitano, GAMA chairman and president and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets, added that the numbers demonstrate the strength of the industry, led by demand. “The demand was absolutely off the charts during the pandemic, especially in 2021. You had new users flooding the marketplace,” he said during the State of the Industry event.
Business jet makers handed over 710 aircraft last year, marking a 10.2 percent jump from the 644 delivered in 2020 when the pandemic had initially halted activity and then dampened sales. Most of the business jet OEMs reported increases in 2021, with the exception of Gulfstream and Dassault, and nearly all that provided book-to-bill details saw yearly increases that were well above 1:1, pushing up backlogs.
Unlike the recovery from the 2008/2009 Great Recession that was led by large jets, the strengthening of the business jet market is spread evenly across all cabin sizes, said Amalfitano. “You're seeing activity across the entire spectrum of recovery quite nicely.” This dynamic stems not only from the direct sales to buyers but from the creation of new operational models, such as membership clubs.
Turboprop deliveries, meanwhile, reached 527 units in total, a 19 percent jump from a year earlier when 443 aircraft were delivered. Amalfitano said this segment is showing “real growth” but interestingly, it’s much more diverse across all sectors. To that end, Latin America has become the second-largest turboprop market only behind North America.
Light aircraft edged up from 1,321 units to 1,393. While the piston segment marked a 5.5 percent increase year-over-year, Amalfitano remarked, “We're starting to see a huge increase in this segment,” noting the sector has enjoyed a 6.1 percent compound annual growth rate since 2010. The training market has provided a notable boost, he added.
For the first time, GAMA reported this category as piston and electric, reflecting the entrance of all-electric aircraft such as the Pipistrel Virus SW 128 Velis Electro. Forty-eight of those aircraft were shipped last year.