The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released the 2024 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report during its annual State of the Industry Press Conference. Overall, when compared to 2023, nearly all aircraft segments saw increases in shipments and preliminary aircraft deliveries were valued at $31.2 billion, an increase of 13.3%.
“As we report on the strength of the general aviation manufacturing industry over the past year, it is notable that for the first time in a decade our companies again exceeded $30 billion in annual billings and for the second year in a row, we shipped more than 4,000 units,” Pete Bunce, president and CEO of GAMA, said. “This strong performance provides great momentum into 2025, but it is essential that policymakers and regulators on both sides of the Atlantic recognize that for continued growth, they must work with industry on policy issues such as taxes, trade, regulations and supply chain. General aviation is at the forefront of advancing technology that makes flying safer and more sustainable, while providing efficient and reliable global economic connectivity, and air accessibility to rural and small communities that lack commercial airline services. It would be a travesty to see any of this progress halted due to policy decisions that could have unintended consequences for an industry that contributes so much.”
Airplane shipments in 2024, when compared to 2023, saw piston airplanes increase 4.2% with 1,772 units, turboprops decline slightly by 1.9% with 626 units and business jets increase 4.7% with 764 units. The value of airplane deliveries for 2024 was $26.7 billion, an increase of 14.3%.
Helicopter shipments in 2024, when compared to 2023, saw piston helicopters in-line with 210 units and preliminary turbine helicopters in-line with 746 units, an increase of one and three units respectively. The preliminary value of helicopter deliveries for 2024 was $4.5 billion, an increase of approximately 7.6%.
