2012 Business Jet Shipments Lowest Since 2004

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released the 2012 year-end shipments of general aviation airplanes. GAMA noted it expanded the data to include delivery data for helicopter manufacturers. 

The year-end airplane shipments increased 0.6% to 2,133 airplane deliveries in 2012. The airplane billings declined slightly to $18.9 billion compared to $19.0 billion in 2011. The business jet data showed that there were 672 units delivered in 2012, down 3.4% from 696 deliveries in 2011. 

Aviation International noted in a related story that the business jet shipment counts of 672 aircraft represented 24 fewer than the previous year and was the lowest tally since 2004. 

GAMA said the helicopter segment delivered 1,044 aircraft in 2012 which was a change of 21.5% compared to the 859 in 2011. The combined value of civil airplane and helicopter shipments in 2012 was $3.4 billion, up from $2.8 billion or 21% higher than 2011. 

“While the 2012 shipment and billing data were mixed, the numbers don’t reflect the amount of development work in progress in general aviation,” said Brad Mottier, 2013 GAMA chairman. “The general aviation segment is poised for resurgence in the next few years as these new technologies certify and enter the market.” 

To read the GAMA news release click here.