The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) had mixed news on the aircraft market thus far in 2020: “Piston airplane deliveries increased slightly, while turboprop, business jet and helicopter deliveries declined through the first nine months of 2020 when compared to the same period of 2019.” The data is part of GAMA’s third quarter report published last week.
According to the report, “Airplane shipments through the first nine months of 2020, when compared to the same period in 2019, saw piston airplane deliveries increase 1.4 percent, with 889 units, while turboprop airplane deliveries declined 27.0 percent to 254 units. Business jet deliveries declined 26.7 percent, to 378 units. The value of airplane deliveries through the third quarter of 2020 was $11.9 billion, a decline of approximately 20.1 percent.” The report from the previous quarter showed declines across the board.
On the rotary side of the business, civil-commercial turbine helicopter deliveries for the first nine months of 2020 declined 23.3 percent with 333 units while piston helicopter deliveries saw a decline of 25.5 percent, with 105 units, as compared to the first nine months of 2019.
GAMA’s president and CEO Pete Bunce said, “While the industry has shown its resilience, it will likely once again face stiff headwinds from the resurgent pandemic, especially given that many European countries have once again gone into lockdown without a common pan-European policy enabling general and business aviation travel across national borders. Despite these significant challenges, it continues to be our dedicated workforce that enables our industry to persevere through the recovery process.”
