GLOBAL SHIPMENT TRENDS

While India’s market movement is laggard due to poor infrastructure, high taxes and regulatory policies, the global scene is also not too encouraging. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) published the first quarter 2016 aircraft shipment results. The general aviation industry shipped 614 aircraft in the first three months of the year for a total value of $4.5 billion.

“The entire industry is feeling the impact of retrenchment in the energy sector as well as global geopolitical and economic insecurity,” GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said. “Despite these headwinds, our industry continues to invest in research, development and certification of more efficient and safe products. Therefore, actions taken by elected officials to stimulate R&D and improve regulator efficiency have a farreaching impact on the economy.”Shipments of general aviation aircraft were soft across the board with only a handful of bright spots. Piston engine airplane and rotorcraft shipments were stable at 191 and 60 units respectively in the first quarter compared to last year. Business jet deliveries declined by 4.7 per cent from 128 in first quarter 2015 to 122 in first quarter 2016. The turboprop airplane segment’s deliveries slowed by 6.8 percent to 109 units. Turbine rotorcraft also declined from 141 to 103 units.