Business-aircraft manufacturers can expect to sell about 5,300 new business aircraft, worth around $60 billion, over the next ten years, according to AlliedSignal's annual Business Aviation Market Outlook.
The forecast is based on the results of telephone interviews with 1,125 business-aircraft users operating 2,160 aircraft in the Americas and Western Europe.
The study forecasts strong growth in sales in 1998 and 1999 which, says Allied Signal, is driven by the impact of new and derivative aircraft models entering service.
"The continued expansion of worldwide business activity and the introduction of exciting new jet models are two of the most important factors driving the business jet market," says Joseph Leonard, AlliedSignals's senior vice-president, marketing, sales and service.
The survey says that after "cresting" in 1999, deliveries will remain at near-record levels before achieving another record peak between 2007 and 2008.
The market for medium-sized and "super medium-sized" aircraft, which includes Raytheon's Hawker 800XP and Cessna's Citation X respectively, is expected to have large growth potential "because of high customer value". The study forecasts around 1,500 deliveries by 2008.
AlliedSignal also predicts that fractional ownership will continue to grow by about 50% a year for the next five years.
AlliedSignal has clinched a $250 million contract with Raytheon Aircraft to supply its 36-150 auxiliary power unit and to install and integrate a fully integrated aircraft environmental-control system for the Hawker Horizon "super mid-sized" business jet.
Source: Flight International
