WASHINGTON, DC, April 24, 2003 ─ The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reported that first quarter shipments of general aviation airplanes fell 16.4 percent compared to the same period last year, from 531 units in 2002 to 444 units this year. First quarter industry billings were $1.87 billion, down 33.2 percent from the first quarter of 2002.

“Unfortunately, a decline in general aviation shipments and billings was not unanticipated,” said GAMA President Ed Bolen. “Lost in all the noise about the troubles of the airlines has been the fact that, since 9-11, many general aviation manufacturers have had to lay off workers and slow or even temporarily halt production lines. These are very tough times. The only segment of the market that was able to hold its own in the first quarter was the single-engine pistons.”

First quarter shipments of piston-powered airplanes remained stable at 315 units in 2003, down just one unit from last year’s 316. Turboprop shipments decreased from 46 airplanes in the first quarter of 2002 to 31 this year.

Business jets were the hardest hit segment of the industry. First quarter shipments of business jets fell 42.0 percent, from 169 units last year to 98 units this year.1

First quarter exports of U.S. produced general aviation airplanes fell 20 percent, from 84 units to 64 units. Export billings fell from $383.1 million in the first quarter of 2002 to $249.3 million this year.