GAMA Announces Across-the-Board Increases In GA Deliveries, Billings

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released its Second Quarter (Q2) 2023 Shipment and Billing Report, and the results are looking good for the industry. Over the first half of the year, deliveries increased along all segments, with an overall increase in value for shipments so far this year. And the pace seems to be accelerating.

Compared with Q1 of 2023, Q2 recorded a 11.4 percent increase in piston-aircraft sales (713 units), while turboprops were up by 17.4 percent at 290 units. Business jets increased at a more modest 2.4 percent at 296 units, and the overall dollar value of deliveries was up by 1.4 percent at $9.2 billion.

Shifting to a comparison with the second half of 2022 (Q3 and Q4), GAMA reported piston helicopters showed an increase in deliveries of 28.7 percent at 112 units, while turbine rotorcraft deliveries were up by 30.4 percent at 339 units. Dollar value of overall helicopter deliveries was $1.9 billion, an increase of 29.9 percent.

While celebrating the positive news from GAMA’s accounting division, the organization’s president and CEO, Pete Bunce, also struck a political note, calling for action to assign decisive leadership at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure continued growth and prosperity. “As we look towards the future,” he said, “it will be imperative that we have stability, accountability and sound direction from regulatory authorities, particularly in the United States. Not only does the FAA need an effective permanent leader during this transformative time for aviation, but the agency is in the process of being reauthorized by Congress.

“We are encouraged by the bipartisanship we have seen throughout the legislative process and hope that the momentum to finalize an FAA reauthorization bill continues to build so that the agency can enhance its ability to deliver critical activities that promote safety, innovation and efficient promulgation of rules, policy and guidance that preserve global aerospace leadership.”