Maintaining Altitude

Global business aviation sets new trends in mixed market

In last year’s review of business aviation, cautious optimism was returning to the sector. This year, as the global economic outlook returns gingerly to positive trends, mixed messages are emerging from the industry. GAMA – the General Aviation Manufacturers Association – reported an increase in worldwide shipments of 6. 6 per cent for the first nine months of the year, from 1,419 in the same period last year to 1,513.

However, while twin-engine turboprop shipments continued a steep trajectory, increasing some 42. 4 per cent, business jet shipmentsdeclined for a fifth successive year – down 2. 1 per cent compared to the same period last year from 430 units in 2012 to 421 in 2013.