The General Aviation Manufacturers Association presented the 2020 year-end general aviation aircraft billings and shipments report. Aircraft deliveries reached a value of US$22.8 billion, according to the report, a decrease compared to US$27.8 billion in 2019. General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) notes piston airplane deliveries were steady, while turboprop, business jet and helicopter deliveries declined as compared to 2019.

“While we continue to face headwinds globally, all signs point to strong demand for our products and services that are unfortunately being constrained by pandemic induced supply chain limitations and a vast array of disjointed barriers to air travel across national borders,” said Pete Bunce, CEO, GAMA. “It is encouraging to see that segments of our industry saw a solid rebound in the fourth quarter of 2020. In 2021, it will be important for the general aviation industry to work together with our commercial sector colleagues to keep our interlinked but very fragile supply chain secure.”

Airplane shipments in 2020, when compared to 2019, saw piston airplane deliveries decline 0.9 per cent, with 1,312 units; turboprop airplane deliveries decline 15.6 per cent, with 443 units; and business jet deliveries decline 20.4 per cent, with 644 units. The value of airplane deliveries for 2020 was US$20 billion, a decline of approximately 14.8%.

Preliminary civil-commercial turbine helicopter deliveries for 2020, when compared to 2019, saw a decline of approximately 16.9 per cent, with 532 units; and piston helicopter deliveries saw a decline of 20.7 per cent, with 142 units. (Leonardo Helicopters fourth quarter data is not available at the time of publication.)

The piston engine airplane market in North America accounted for 67.9 per cent of overall shipments. The second largest market for piston airplanes for the sixth year in a row was the Asia-Pacific market at 17.4 per cent. Turboprop airplane shipments to North American customers accounted for 54.9 per cent of the global deliveries. The second largest market for turboprop airplane deliveries was Europe at 14.4 per cent. The North American market accounted for 66.0 per cent of business jet deliveries. The second largest market for business jet deliveries during the year was Europe at 16.7 per cent.

(Graph: General Aviation Manufacturers Association)