By Skies Magazine | August 29, 2023 Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 30 seconds.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), which aims to enhance the safety and activities of the global business and general aviation industry, has shared the results of its second quarter 2023 Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report, which shows positive results across the board.
Combining data from the first two quarters of the year, the association said “results for the first six months, when compared to the same period in 2022, show increased aircraft deliveries across all segments along with an increase in the overall value of the aircraft shipments.”
During Q2, specifically, piston airplane deliveries saw an 11.4 percent increase over the same period in 2022, with 713 units; turboprops saw a 17.4 percent increase with 290 units; and business jets saw a 2.4 percent increase with 296 units. The value of these aircraft deliveries in the second quarter increased 1.4 percent when compared to 2022, totaling $9.2 billion.
OEMs Cirrus Aircraft and Textron Aviation led in Q2 airplane shipments, with 177 and 158 deliveries, respectively. Cirrus’s leading aircraft type, in both Q1 and Q2 2023, was the SR22T. Textron’s Cessna 172 Skyhawk continues to be the OEM’s most delivered type through 2023.
Montreal-based Bombardier delivered 29 aircraft in the second quarter, allowing the company to lead in billings, which totaled $1.36 billion for the quarter. Gulfstream was close behind with $1.35 billion in billings, resulting from 24 aircraft deliveries.
“The growth of our industry remains strong as manufacturers continue to deliver and take orders for new aircraft,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO. “As we look towards the future, it will be imperative that we have stability, accountability, and sound direction from regulatory authorities, particularly in the United States.
“Not only does the FAA need an effective permanent leader during this transformative time for aviation, but the agency is in the process of being reauthorized by Congress. We are encouraged by the bipartisanship we have seen throughout the legislative process and hope that the momentum to finalize an FAA reauthorization bill continues to build.”
On the rotorcraft side, aircraft shipments also saw an increase through the first six months of 2023, when compared to 2022. Piston helicopter deliveries increased 28.7 percent with 112 units, while turbine helicopter deliveries increased 30.4 percent with 339 units. The value of helicopter deliveries increased significantly by 29.9 percent to $1.9 billion, GAMA reported.
View GAMA’s complete Q2 2023 shipment and billing report here.
