Shipments of turboprop and business jet aircraft worldwide increased by double-digits throughout the first three quarters of 2007 compared with the same period in 2006, according to the latest statistics released by the General Aviation Manufacturing Association (GAMA).
GAMA reports 759 business jets delivered in the period, up by nearly 21% from the 628 shipped last year. Turboprop shipments increased 14.5%, from 256 aircraft delivered last year to 293 this year.
Counterbalancing the positive growth is the piston-powered market. Deliveries lagged last year's through three consecutive quarters.
GAMA reports 1,857 piston-powered aircraft deliveries so far this year, down by 6% from the 1,975 shipped by the end of the third quarter in 2006.
"We are encouraged, however, by the industry's commitment to strengthening this segment with the introduction of products that will bring new pilots and new customers into this market," says Pete Bunce, GAMA president and chief executive.
Billings in total for the period are valued at $15.1 billion, up by 1.7% from last year's $13.2 billion. GAMA notes that 76% of the 2,909 aircraft shipped through the third quarter were produced by US manufacturers, and 79% were shipped to North America.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
