Aircraft Shipments show Significant GA Growth

Aircraft shipments for 2024 show continued growth in general aviation demand, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

GAMA released its Q4 2024 delivery figures late last week, which have fueled optimism amongst GA aircraft manufacturers. The result continues an upward trend in demand over the past 11 years.

The report showed that GA manufacturers delivered 3162 aeroplanes during 2024, an increase of 112 airframes. The result was highlighted by piston market-leader Cirrus, which shipped more than 500 SR22/Ts for the first time since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.

Importantly, the value of shipped aeroplanes was $US26.7 billion, a leap of 14.3% over last year, which demonstrates a recovery in industry health since the COVID-19 downturn.

Last year was also a good one for most GA manufacturers, with Piper's PA28 series topping the four-seat trainer market thanks to a 26% increase in demand. Vero Beach rolled out 182 PA28s compared to Cessna's C172SP, of which 164 were shipped. In that market, only Diamond's DA40 experienced a downturn, recording 20% fewer deliveries than in 2023. The SR20 had a respectable year also, up 5% to 121 aircraft.

Cirrus' unbeatable performance in the high-speed single sector overshadowed any other results, although Diamond's DA50 leapt up the charts with a 37% increase in demand. However, the 26 aircraft shipped was still lower than the Cessna Skylane, which took a distant second spot on the ladder despite a decrease in demand of 8%, scoring 42 deliveries.

The year brought no surprises in the twin market, although Diamond's DA62 and DA42 recorded slight drops in demand of 3% and 2% respectively. The two still dominated the market with 64 and 53 aircraft rolled out. Tecnam's Rotax-powered P2006T was flat with 23 shipments, but Piper's Seminole trainer was up 44%. The PA44's 26 deliveries is still well short of the Diamond mark.

Pilatus' PC12 has kept its nose in front in the SETP sector even though demand was down slightly. The 96 aircraft rolled-out represents a 6% decrease on the 102 delivered in 2023, but still ahead of the Cessna C208 series, which experienced an 11% drop in demand. Daher's Kodiak series was up 63%, a pleasing result in light of a 3% drop in deliveries for the TBM900 series. Epic Aircraft will have been pleased with a shipments of the 1000GX up 53% from 17 to 26 airframes.

In the heavily-disputed single-pilot jet market, Cirrus shipped 101 examples of the SF50 Vision, breaking the century for the first time since the aircraft came on the market in 2017. Embraer's Phenom series easily led the twin jets, although an increase in demand of only 1% was flattening, but still better than the 12% drop for the Cessna M2.

Major Aircraft Shipments 2024 verses 2023

Major Aircraft Shipments Q4 2024