WASHINGTON, DC, May 9, 2013—The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released the industry’s airplane shipment and billings figures for the first quarter today. In the first three months of 2013, total worldwide general aviation (GA) airplane shipments increased 9.6 percent, from 418 units in 2012 to 458 units this year. Billings for GA airplanes totaled $4.6 billion in the first three months, up 32 percent from the same period last year.

Turboprop shipments, which were up in 2012 due to strong agricultural sales, are now showing strength across the entire sector. The single-engine turboprop airplanes had a positive trajectory, up 14.6 percent to 102 units this year. In addition, the multi-engine turboprop airplanes were strong with 34 shipments compared to last year’s 19 airplanes. Business jet shipments totaled 129 units, a 4.0 percent increase. The piston engine airplane segment was also positive, up 3.8 percent to 193 unit deliveries.

“We are very pleased to see a shift to the positive for GA airplanes, which extends across all airplane segments, for the first quarter of 2013,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. "However, the performance was mixed within the segments, which demonstrates the need for industry’s continued engagement with elected officials and regulators throughout the world as we seek to strengthen the GA sector. Just this week, for example, GAMA board members wrapped up more than 110 meetings in Washington, DC with senators and representatives on both sides of the aisle to discuss certification, user fees, small aircraft revitalization, aviation security, and tax policy. We look forward to continuing to work with regulators, leaders in Congress and officials in governments around the globe to speed the recovery and revitalization of general aviation.”

Note: GAMA will issue a separate report for helicopter shipment data.