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GAMA reports Q2 aircraft shipments and billings

September 15, 2020  By Helicopters Staff


GAMA figures for aircraft shipments and billings for the first half of 2020. (Image: GAMA)

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association yesterday released its report of general aviation aircraft shipments and billings for the second quarter of 2020, ended June 30, and for the first half of its fiscal year. Piston, turboprop, business jet and helicopter deliveries declined across all segments during the first six months of 2020 as compared to the same period of 2019.

“With facilities conducting operations in a New Normal work environment, what has been very encouraging is that the supply chain has begun to stabilize and robust screening procedures and innovative work station COVID-19 mitigation protocols have resulted in very few virus transmission incidents,” said Pete Bunce, president and CEO, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). “While continued mandated and voluntary restrictions on international business travel are producing stiff headwinds, flight activity for business aviation has appeared to return to around 85 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in U.S. domestic airspace, while piston, turboprop and rotorcraft flight activity has actually increased.”

Bunce continued to explain many travellers have also opted to explore the utility of general and business aviation for the first time. “We hope [this] will translate into future customers for the incredible and versatile products and services our industry has to offer,” he said.

Aircraft shipments through the first six months of 2020, when compared to the same period in 2019, saw piston airplane deliveries decline 13.3 per cent, with 497 units; turboprop airplane deliveries decline 34.2 per cent, with 152 units; and business jet deliveries decline 26.7 per cent, with 244 units. The value of airplane deliveries through the second quarter of 2020 was US$7.9 billion, a decline of approximately 20.2 per cent.

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Turbine helicopter deliveries for the first six months of 2020, when compared to the same period in 2019, saw a decline of 37.1 per cent, with 188 units; and piston helicopter deliveries saw a decline of 45.2 per cent, with 63 units.

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