Mon, Feb 17, 2003
Industry Billings off 14 Percent in 2002
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reports
total industry billings fell from an all-time high of $13.9 billion
to $11.9 billion in 2002.

The U.S. portion of industry billings fell 9.9 percent, from
$8.6 billion in 2001 to $7.8 billion. Shipments of general aviation
airplanes totaled 2,539 in 2002, with the U.S. portion of the
industry shipping 2,214 in 2002.
End Of Jet-Setting Glory Days?
“As we look back on 2002, we see that our string of
record-setting billings and business jet shipments has come to an
end,” GAMA President and CEO Ed Bolen (right) said.
“However, on a positive note, business jet flight activity
increased last year, we set a new safety record - the fewest number
of general aviation accidents ever and the security of general
aviation operations has been significantly enhanced.”
Now What?
Addressing the outlook for the general aviation industry, GAMA
Chairman Bill Boisture, President of Gulfstream Aerospace
Corporation, focused on the challenges ahead, stating,
“Although the numbers are down, this is not the biggest one
year decrease our industry has ever experienced. The general
aviation manufacturing industry today is three times the size it
was just six years ago. However, we can’t ignore the fact
that this market is not where we want it to be. As manufacturers,
we’re navigating through tough economic times by cutting
costs, stimulating sales through customer support and positioning
for future growth by increasing the utility of our
products.”
Exports of US-produced airplanes were down in 2002. Billings for
exported airplanes dropped 16.8 percent as the number of exported
airplanes fell 26.1 percent. For U.S. manufacturers, the export
market accounted for 25.4 percent of their total billings and 16.8
percent of their total shipments.
Airplane Shipments By Type - Manufactured Worldwide
By Type (Worldwide) |
2001 |
2002 |
Change |
Single-Engine Pistons |
1,644
|
1,446
|
-12.0%
|
Multi-Engine Pistons |
147
|
130
|
-11.6%
|
Turboprops |
421
|
280
|
-33.5%
|
Business Jets |
782
|
683
|
-12.7%
|
Total Shipments |
2,994
|
2,539
|
-15.2%
|
Total Billings |
$13.9b
|
$11.9b
|
-
14.4%
|
|
|
|
|
By Type (US) |
2001 |
2002 |
Change |
Single-Engine Pistons |
1,581
|
1,366
|
-13.6%
|
Multi-Engine Pistons |
147
|
130
|
-11.6%
|
Turboprops |
306
|
187
|
-38.9%
|
Business Jets |
600
|
531
|
-11.5%
|
Total Shipments |
2,634
|
2,214
|
-
15.9%
|
Total Billings |
$8.9b
|
$7.8b
|
-9.9%
|
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