Rolls-Royce is predicting an upturn in business jet deliveries from next year, with the very-light sector - mentioned in an R-R annual forecast for the first time - expected to show significant growth between 2004 and 2023.
"Economic indicators, coupled with a reduced inventory of viable used aircraft and growth of share purchases at fractional companies, support our increased delivery forecast," says Ian Aitken, R-R president, corporate and regional aircraft.
The forecast predicts a 20-year need for 23,000 aircraft valued at $284 billion - up slightly from last year's survey. For powerplant manufacturers, this translates to 47,000 engines, including spares, valued at around $60 billion.
R-R predicts the very-light-jet sector will account for 8,000 of the 23,000 aircraft sold. It also expects orders from fractional operators to climb from the current market share of around 15% to 22% during the forecast period.
Source: Flight International