In the first three months of the year, total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales topped $566 million, according to the first quarter 2016 Avionics Market Report released by the Aircraft Electronics Association during the 59th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Kissimmee, Florida.
That’s a 3.6% decrease in sales compared to the first-quarter of 2015, which saw more than $587 million in sales.
The dollar amount reported (using net sales price, not manufacturer’s suggested retail price) includes all business and general aviation aircraft electronic sales, including all component and accessories in cockpit/cabin/software upgrades/portables/certified and noncertified aircraft electronics; all hardware (tip to tail); batteries; and chargeable product upgrades from the participating manufacturers. The amount does not include repairs and overhauls, extended warranty or subscription services.
Of the more than $566 million in first-quarter 2016 sales, 54.7% came from forward-fit (avionics equipment installed by airframe manufacturers during original production) sales.
By contrast, the retrofit (avionics equipment installed after original production) market amounted to 45.3% of first-quarter sales.
According to the companies that separated their total sales figures between North America (U.S. and Canada) and other international markets, 64.9% of the first-quarter sales volume occurred in North America (U.S. and Canada), while 35.1% took place in other markets.
“It’s disappointing that total worldwide sales are off to a slower start compared to the first three months a year ago,” said AEA President Paula Derks. “Sales in the forward-fit market were nearly identical to last year, so the overall decline was mostly felt in the retrofit market. With more than 30 new avionics products and services introduced to the market this week at the AEA Convention, industry will hopefully see improved sales figures later this year.”