24 February 2026
The global General Aviation industry posted strong growth in 2025, with business jets and piston aeroplanes leading in numbers and value.
Total aircraft billings reached a record $35.7 billion, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
Releasing its 2025 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report at the annual State of the Industry Press Conference in Washington, D.C., GAMA reported that overall aircraft deliveries rose in value by 14.6% compared with 2024, underscoring resilient demand despite mixed performance across segments.
“The state of the General Aviation manufacturing industry remains steadfast,” said GAMA President and CEO James Viola.
“We continue to see robust numbers of total aircraft delivered as well as annual billings eclipsing $35 billion, the highest it has ever been.”
Business jets were the standout performers of 2025. Shipments climbed 11.8%, rising from 764 aircraft in 2024 to 854 in 2025. The surge reflects continued demand for corporate mobility, fleet renewal and long-range capability.
Latest version of Cirrus SR22T, the G7. Photo: Cirrus
Piston aeroplanes also edged upward, with shipments rising modestly by 0.6% to 1,782 units. While growth was incremental, the segment remains the industry’s largest by volume.
Single-engine piston and electric aircraft dominated, accounting for 1,585 deliveries worldwide. Multi-engine piston aircraft added 197 shipments.
Cirrus Aircraft emerged as a volume leader, shipping 691 of the SR piston aeroplane family, plus another 106 of the Vision Jet. That brought the Cirrus total to 797 aircraft, representing billings of $1.18 billion.
Cessna’s 172 Skyhawk continues to sell well with 191 deliveries in 2025
Textron Aviation delivered 282 piston aircraft across its Cessna and Beechcraft brands. Textron’s total, including turboprops and business jets, was 692 aeroplanes with a value of $3.18 billion.
Piper Aircraft delivered 47 of its new M-class turboprop, the M700 Fury, but its best-seller was the PA-28-181 Archer and its Pilot 100i training variant with 181 sold. Piper’s total was 291 aircraft with a value of $422 million.
Diamond Aircraft delivered a total of 235 piston aeroplanes with a value of $207 million. The best-seller in volume was the DA40 single with 81 deliveries, but the top of the range DA62 twin was a close second with 70 deliveries.
Diamond Aircraft’s DA62
Overall, deliveries of turboprop aeroplanes fell with both Daher and Pilatus affected. Shipments fell 5.1%, declining from 626 aircraft in 2024 to 594 in 2025.
Helicopter shipments declined slightly overall, down 1.9% to 938 units, yet total rotorcraft billings increased 5.5% to $4.7 billion. Turbine helicopters accounted for 732 deliveries, while piston helicopters totalled 206 units.
Airbus Helicopters led the sector with 373 shipments valued at $2.61 billion, followed by Robinson Helicopter Company with 256 deliveries, and Bell with 169 deliveries.
Regional deliveries
North America remained the industry’s dominant market:
Europe retained a solid share, particularly in turboprops (14.0%) and business jets (12.9%), while Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa continued to represent important growth regions.
While some segments recorded marginal declines, GAMA emphasised that all categories remain above pre-pandemic 2019 levels, reinforcing the sector’s long-term recovery trajectory.
