Story ID: 
Completions Recap 2006: Better and Better
By: AIN Staff
Caption: In the midst of continuing economic growth, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released its numbers for the first half of this year and 
Word Count: 275
In the midst of continuing economic growth, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released its numbers for the first half of this year and revealed deliveries of 544 turbine business airplanes, 123 more than for the same period last year. 

On the heavy-iron side of the ledger, Boeing delivered seven BBJs (six BBJs and one BBJ2) in the first six months of this year, compared with none in the first half of last year. The Seattle-based OEM also sold two executive/VIP 787s this year, as well as its first executive/VIP 747-8.

As of the middle of last month, Airbus had taken 15 orders for its ACJ series (A318 Elite, ACJ and A320 Prestige), as well as one order for an executive/VIP A330-200. A spokesman said the company anticipates “a record year.” At the same time, in a bid to boost sales of its ACJ line in North America, Airbus opened a new corporate jetliner center in Miami in August and is also considering adding other approved completion centers in North America. The only center currently approved by Airbus in North America is Associated Air Center in Dallas.

Bombardier saw its deliveries for the first half of the year jump to 115 from 88 during the same period last year, and Cessna saw its count rise from 118 deliveries in the first six months of last year to 144 for the same period this year. Looking ahead, Cessna claims more than 250 orders for its newly certified Mustang, and there are plans for a new airplane on the far side of its Citation X.