The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) presented the 2019 year-end aircraft billing and shipment numbers, during its annual State of the Industry press conference.
In 2019, aircraft deliveries reached a value of $26.8 billion, an increase compared to $24.3 billion in 2018. The number of piston airplane deliveries experienced the largest growth among the segments at 16.4 percent. Business jet deliveries were at their highest since 2009. Meanwhile, turboprop and helicopter deliveries decreased.
“The 2019 year-end numbers reveal that overall, the general aviation manufacturing industry is vibrant, although we are encountering headwinds in the rotorcraft sector. It is great to see two of our fixed wing sectors, piston airplane and business jet shipments, reached decade highs. Looking ahead, manufacturers are excited about the future, especially given the ongoing innovation in manufacturing that directly relates to safety and the progress being made in the development of supersonic and electrically propelled aircraft,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. “GAMA and its member companies will support this momentum and technological advancement through our workforce, sustainability, regulatory and legislative efforts.”
The piston engine airplane market in North America accounted for 66.4 percent of overall shipments. The second largest market for piston airplanes for the fifth year in a row was the Asia-Pacific market at 12.8 percent. Turboprop airplane shipments to North American customers accounted for 50.3 percent of the global deliveries. The second largest market for turboprop airplane deliveries was Latin America at 16.8 percent. The North American market accounted for 67.1 percent of business jet deliveries. The second largest market for business jet deliveries during the year was Europe at 14.3 percent.
| Segment | 2018 | 2018 | Change |
| Piston Airplanes | 1,137 | 1,324 | +16.4% |
| Turboprops | 592 | 525 | -11.3% |
| Business Jets | 703 | 809 | +15.1 |
| Total Airplane Units | 2,432 | 2,658 | +9.3 |
| Total Airplane Billings | $20.6B | $23.5B | +14.3% |
| Piston Rotorcraft | 281 | 179 | -36.3% |
| Turbine Rotorcraft (*) | 698 | 640 | -8.3% |
| Total Rotorcraft Units | 979 | 819 | -16.3% |
| Total Rotorcraft Billings | $3.7B | $3.3B | -11.9% |
*Leonardo Helicopters fourth quarter data is not available at the time of publication. Leonardo Helicopters will release year-end results in March. GAMA excluded 2018 fourth quarter data for Leonardo in the comparison table.
GAMA’s complete 2019 year-end report can be found at gama.aero.
