Worldwide general aviation avionics sales topped $2.8 billion in 2022, a 21.5% increase compared to 2021 — the largest percentage increase in the 11-year history of the Aircraft Electronics Association’s Avionics Market Report.
During the fourth-quarter months of October, November, and December, sales increased 31.2% compared to the same time a year ago, marking the largest quarterly year-over-year percentage increase in the report’s history, according to AEA officials.
Fourth-quarter sales increased 7.2% from the third quarter of 2022 and marked the 10th consecutive quarter of increasing sales, AEA officials added.
“We have seen yearly sales rebound the last two years despite supply chain constraints and a tight labor market,” said AEA President and CEO Mike Adamson. “While it’s encouraging to see a record-breaking percentage increase in year-over-year avionics sales, the industry is still rebounding from the economic impact of the pandemic. The $2.8 billion in sales for 2022 falls short of the 2019 year-end sales when (the) industry notched a record $3 billion just prior to the international health crisis, but we are trending in the right direction with positive gains over the past 10 quarters.”
Of the more than $2.8 billion in sales in 2022, 48.2% came from the retrofit market (avionics equipment installed after original production), while forward-fit sales (avionics equipment installed by airframe manufacturers during original production) amounted to 51.8% of sales.
According to the companies that separated their total sales figures between North America (U.S. and Canada) and other international markets, 74.9% of the 2022 sales volume occurred in North America, while 25.1% took place in other markets.
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 non-certified 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.
More information about the AEA Avionics Market Report is available at AEA.net/MarketReport.