Story ID: 
AEA: Avionics Sales Dampen in 2016
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: Avionics sales were nearly evenly divided between forward-fit and retrofit applications.
Word Count: 236
Business and general aviation avionics sales dampened in 2016, down 6.4 percent to $2.26 billion, according to the latest Avionics Market Report from the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA). Sales were down from the $2.42 billion reported in 2015 and $2.53 billion in 2014.

“It is disappointing that total worldwide sales have decreased in each of the last two years,” said AEA president Paula Derks. “However, we did see some progress in the fourth quarter. This marks the second straight year where the fourth quarter was the strongest period for sales, so it will be interesting to observe whether those late-year surges continue into future years.”

Fourth quarter sales reached $597 million, up almost $50 million from the third quarter of 2016.

Sales last year were nearly evenly divided with retrofits accounting for 49.4 percent of the market, or $1.118 billion, and forward-fit applications making up 50.6 percent at $1.144 billion. Forward-fit applications accounted for a little more than half of the sales in each quarter except the fourth quarter, when retrofit sales totaled 53.4 percent of all business and general aviation avionics sales, AEA reported.

Geographically, 66.3 percent of the total sales occurred in the U.S. and Canada.

AEA began compiling business and general aviation avionics sales information in 2013. The amounts reported, from 21 manufacturers, reflect net sales prices for all electronic sales, including components and accessories in cockpit, cabin and software, along with hardware, batteries and chargeable product upgrades.