WASHINGTON, DC—The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) today released the industry’s airplane shipment and billing figures through the third quarter. Total worldwide general aviation (GA) airplane shipments rose 6.8 percent over the same period last year, from 1,419 to 1,516 shipments(1). Billings for GA airplanes worldwide in the first nine months reached $15.4 billion, up 24.5 percent from the same period last year, when they totaled $12.4 billion.

Single and multi-engine turboprop shipments continued their positive trajectory, increasing 10.3 percent and 42.4 percent, respectively, this year. Piston engine airplanes increased 7.9 percent to 667 shipments compared to 618 airplane shipments in 2012. However, business jet shipments were down from 430 units in the first nine months of 2012 to 421 in 2013.

"The strong level of energy and positive mood of customers at NBAA’s convention this month reflects the industry’s continued recovery from the recession and gives GAMA members good reason to feel optimistic about the future," GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said. “While our members enjoyed another strong quarter of billings, not all of the news is good; the industry still faces significant challenges, particularly in the small and mid-size jet markets."

Bunce added, "As GAMA works with policymakers around the globe to facilitate increases in the deliveries of general aviation manufacturing products, we are encouraged by the progress of initiatives such as the Small Airplane Revitalization Act—which will increase safety while reducing cost for both industry and government. In addition, GAMA continues to work with the FAA to quickly clear the backlog of deliveries that developed over the 16-day government shutdown and mitigate any adverse impact upon our critical fourth quarter numbers."

Note 1: The third quarter shipment report was revised with additional data and updates on November 5, 2013. The change includes three additional single-engine turboprop airplanes. This press release was amended to mitigate any confusion.

Note 2: The year-end shipment report will be published on February 19, 2014 as part of GAMA’s State of the Industry Review press conference.

Note 3: The attached report was updated on October 30, 2014 with additional data. The table above has not been revised to reflect the amended data.