US general aviation manufacturers achieved a 42% increase in sales and more than a 13% growth in shipments for the first nine months of 1999. This is compared to the same period last year, according to figures from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
A total of 1,692 aircraft were shipped in the first three quarters, to the end of September, up from 1,492 units in the same period last year. Total aircraft billings have already exceeded $5 billion, reaching $5.5 billion for the first nine months of 1999, compared with $3.9 billion in 1998. For the third quarter alone aircraft shipments rose by more than 13%.
"Looking at the first nine months of 1999, we see tremendous market activity throughout the industry. Record billings and increased shipments through the first three quarters has 1999 shaping up as another great year for general aviation," says GAMA.
Jet deliveries grew by more than 26% to 352 aircraft, piston-engined aircraft deliveries rose by 11% to 1,164, while turboprop shipments climbed to 176 units, a 9% year-on-year rise.
Source: Flight International
