There was a 1.3% rise in the number of business jets delivered in 2017 (676 units) compared with 2016 (667 units), according to GAMA’s year-end shipment and billings roundup. GAMA attributed the growth to the service entry of several new aircraft types.
Overall, the number of aircraft shipments rose by 2.5%, from 2,268 to 2,324 units, although billings fell 4.2%, from US$21.1bn to US$20.2bn.
Turboprop deliveries were down 3.3%, from 582 to 563 aircraft; piston aircraft shipments rose by 6.5%, to 1,085 units; and rotorcraft shipments rose 7.5%, from 861 to 926 units, with billings up by 1.4%, from US$3.6bn to US$3.7bn.
The biggest increase was in piston rotorcraft deliveries, which showed an 17.9% leap, from 224 to 264 units. GAMA said preliminary data for the turbine rotorcraft segment indicates a 3.9% rise to 662 deliveries.
“The 2017 year-end results were encouraging, especially with the delivery growth we saw in the business jet, piston aircraft and rotorcraft segments,” said Pete Bunce, president and CEO at GAMA.
“Looking ahead, we’re optimistic given some very positive economic indicators, stabilization in the used business aircraft market, new manufacturing techniques spurred by additive manufacturing, and innovative aerospace technologies driving urban air mobility platforms, electric and hybrid propulsion, unmanned aerial vehicles and commercial space.”
February 27, 2018
