The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released its 2021 Q2 report, showing marked improvement over the same period in 2020.
The turboprop and rotorcraft segments have made the largest year-over-year gains, with turboprops posting a 45.4 percent increase for the first six months of 2021 as compared to the same period last year. Total helicopter shipments improved by 32.7 percent across the same span.
Billings were also up significantly, with total airplane billings at $8.6 billion for the first half of 2021, a 9.4 percent uptick, and total helicopter billings at $1.4 billion, a jump of 37.7 percent.
“Through the first six months of 2021, we can see that the industry continues to progress in its recovery efforts,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. “While it is encouraging to see segments improve from 2020, we still trail when compared to how the industry was faring before the onset of the pandemic.
“Efforts to address ongoing supply chain issues, strengthen our workforce and enhance environmental sustainability will continue to be at the forefront as interest and demand for aircraft remains robust,”
Shipments and Billings Data
| Aircraft Type | 2020 | 2021 | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piston Airplanes | 503 | 565 | 12.3 |
| Turboprops | 152 | 221 | 45.4 |
| Business Jets | 244 | 264 | 8.2 |
| Total Airplanes | 899 | 1050 | 16.8 |
| Total Airplane Billing | $7.9B | $8.6B | 9.4 |
| Piston Helicopters | 63 | 83 | 31.7 |
| Turbine Helicopters | 194 | 258 | 33 |
| Total Helicopters | 257 | 341 | 32.7 |
| Total Helicopter Billing | $1B | $1.4B | 37.7 |
