15 September 2020
Deliveries of all types of General Aviation aircraft fell during the second quarter of 2020, the period hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, piston aeroplanes appear to have dropped the least.
Cessna, Diamond and Piper all reported second quarter figures that were actually higher than the first quarter, with sales to flight school training fleets holding up. Cirrus were slightly down on the first quarter.
The delivery figures are compiled by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and every quarter.
Aircraft shipments through the first six months of 2020, when compared to the same period in 2019, saw piston aeroplane deliveries decline 13.3% overall, with 497 units. Turboprop aeroplane deliveries declines 34.2%, with 152 units. Business jet deliveries declined 26.7%, with 244 units. The value of aeroplane deliveries through the second quarter of 2020 was $7.9 billion, a decline of approximately 20.2%.
Turbine helicopter deliveries for the first six months of 2020, when compared to the same period in 2019, saw a decline of 37.1%, with 188 units.Piston helicopter deliveries saw a decline of 45.2%, with 63 units.
“It should come as no surprise to anyone that the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the general aviation industry and its global operations in the second quarter,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce.
