The first six months of 2024 saw increased deliveries across the piston airplane, business jet, and piston helicopter segments, along with an increase in the overall value of aircraft shipments.
That’s according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) Second Quarter 2024 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report.
“Through the first half of 2024, we continue to see robust demand for new aircraft, as indicated by the impressive backlogs and plans for facility expansion by many of our OEMs,” said GAMA President Pete Bunce.
Aircraft shipments through the second quarter of 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, saw piston airplanes increase 7.3% to 761, turboprops decrease 3.4% to 280, and business jets increase 8.8% to 322. The value of airplane deliveries through the second quarter of 2024 was $11.3 billion, an increase of 24.2%.
Helicopter shipments through the second quarter of 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, saw piston helicopter deliveries increase 2.7% to 115 while turbine helicopter deliveries dropped 7.7% to 313. The value of helicopter deliveries was $1.7 billion.
But even with that good news, Bunce warns that the general aviation industry still faces challenges.
“Our constraints continue to be ongoing supply chain and workforce recapitalization issues, which are routinely compounded by unacceptable turn times in terms of responsiveness and lack of decision making by the FAA specialists on such things as issue papers, certification plans, and regular correspondence,” he noted.
“Our industry is the incubator of safety enhancing and aviation sustainability technology, which in turn serves as a catalyst for economic growth and exemplary employment for millions around the globe,” he continued. “It is vital that our regulators continue to improve effectiveness and efficiency of certification and validation processes, appropriately apply the safety continuum across the spectrum of general aviation products, and respond to applicants in a timely manner. For the continued vitality of our industry and to facilitate all the great innovations that are taking place, it is imperative that we tackle these ongoing challenges.”
To see the full report, go to GAMA.aero.
Good news for GA in general, but as always with these reports, there is no breakdown as to the number of shipments to individual private owners, corporations, flight schools etc.
Inquiring minds need to know.
The automotive industry is similar in that it posts record sales, but this is as a result of business fleet sales rather than individual private owners. This explains why auto dealers are overloaded with new inventory beginning with the 2022 model year. There is an inventory auto glut simply because manufacturers are charging absurdly high prices which the general public can’t afford nor is willing to pay.