WASHINGTON, DC, February 14, 2005 ─ Today, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reported that the general aviation industry made a strong recovery in 2004. Industry billings totaled $11.9 billion, the third highest ever and a 19.1 percent increase above 2003 billings. The total number of airplanes shipped in 2004 increased to 2,963, a 10.3 percent increase above the previous year.
Speaking at GAMA’s Annual Industry Review and Market Outlook, James E. Schuster, Chairman of GAMA’s Board, said, “Bonus depreciation, coupled with the continuing growth of the U.S. economy, helped make 2004 a turning point for our industry. The fact that total shipments increased indicates that this turn-around is broadly based. GAMA member companies believe this bodes well for the future of general aviation.”
Shipments of piston-powered airplanes increased by 155 units to 2,051, a 20-year high. Turboprop shipments increased from 272 airplanes in 2003 to 321 in 2004. Shipments of GA business jets also increased, up 14.1 percent from 518 units in 2003 to 591 in 2004.
2004 VERSUS 2003 SHIPMENTS OF AIRPLANES MANUFACTURED WORLDWIDE
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2003
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2004
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CHANGE
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| Pistons |
1,896
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2,051
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+8.2%
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| Turboprops |
272
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321
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+18.0%
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| Business Jets |
518
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591
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+14.1%
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| Total Shipments |
2,686
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2,963
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+10.3%
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| Total Billings |
$9.99B
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$11.9B
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+19.1%
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