WASHINGTON, DC, February 16, 2010 – Today, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced that 2009 worldwide shipments and billings of general aviation airplanes were down in all categories.

Speaking at GAMA’s Annual Industry Review and Market Outlook Briefing, GAMA Chairman, Rob Wilson, president of Honeywell Business and General Aviation, reported that the global economic downturn led to one of the toughest years ever for general aviation manufacturers. “The worldwide economic crisis, which included major constraints on credit, cutbacks in flying hours, and downsizing and divestiture of business jet fleets, forced manufacturers to take difficult steps in 2009,” said Wilson. “General aviation manufacturers had no choice but to cut production and announce painful layoffs and furloughs.”

Wilson pointed out, however, that there are some hopeful signs that the worst of the economic crisis may be over. He added, “The inventory of used aircraft has peaked and is now declining, flying hours are on the rise, and inquiries for new orders are beginning to grow again. 2009 also showed that the fastest-expanding markets were again outside North America, illustrating worldwide recognition of the importance of general aviation to conducting business in a global economy. While these positive factors give us reason for optimism, we know that a full recovery will take time. Our manufacturers continue to plan and invest for future growth and we are confident that our industry will remain a powerful engine for economic recovery and quality job creation around the world.”

Industry billings dipped to $19.5 billion, a 21.4 percent decrease from the 2008 record high of $24.8 billion, but the third highest year ever. 2009 worldwide shipments of general aviation airplanes declined for a second year in a row with a total of 2,276 units delivered, a 42.6 percent decrease over the previous year’s total of 3,967 airplanes.

The piston airplane segment experienced the greatest decline at 54.5 percent. Shipments totaled 965 airplanes in 2009, compared to 2,119 unit airplanes in 2008. The turboprop sector was the most successful in weathering the economic storm, showing a decline of 17.6 percent. In 2009, 441 turboprops were shipped, down from 535 units in 2008. After five years of growth, the business jet sector declined 33.7 percent with 870 airplanes shipped, compared to the previous year’s figure of 1,313 airplanes.