The 2024 General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) report has revealed a year of strong growth in the general aviation sector. With a total of 3,162 airplane shipments and 1,035 helicopter shipments, the industry has demonstrated resilience and expansion despite global economic challenges. The total aircraft billings surpassed $31.89 billion, reflecting sustained demand across multiple aviation segments.

The report highlights robust demand across all categories, including piston aircraft, turboprops, and business jets. The total value of airplane shipments reached an impressive $26.7 billion, with business jets accounting for the largest share of revenue. Despite global supply chain disruptions, production levels increased across major manufacturers, signaling strong market confidence.

Business Jets: Growth Driven by Long-Range and Super-Midsize Models

The business jet sector continued its strong upward trajectory, with 764 aircraft delivered in 2024. This growth was fueled by increasing corporate and private ownership, alongside fleet expansions by charter and fractional ownership operators.

• Textron Aviation Cessna contributed with 151 deliveries across its Citation series, including the M2 Gen2, CJ3+, CJ4 Gen2, XLS+ Gen2, Latitude and Longitude models.

• Bombardier shipped 146 aircraft, with its Challenger 3500 and Global 7500 standing out as top performers in the super-midsize and ultra-long-range categories.

• Gulfstream Aerospace led the market with 136 deliveries, with the G500, G600, and ultra-long-range G700 models seeing strong demand from global corporate buyers.

• Dassault Aviation recorded 31 deliveries, largely driven by the success of its Falcon 6X and Falcon 8X models.

• Embraer continued to strengthen its position in the light and midsize jet markets, delivering 130 aircraft from its Phenom 100/300 and Praetor 500/600 lines.

• Airbus Corporate Jets reported the delivery of two ACJ319neo, one ACJ320neo, and one ACJ330-200, whereas Boeing Business Jets delivered two BBJ 737-8 aircraft. 

Turboprop Market: Pilatus and Textron Aviation Dominate

Turboprop shipments reached 626 units, with increasing demand for these fuel-efficient aircraft in regional travel, special missions, and private operations.

• Pilatus continued to dominate the high-performance single-engine turboprop segment, delivering total 147  aircrafts covering 96 PC-12 NGX units  and 51 PC-24 light jets.

• Textron Aviation delivered over 127 turboprops, including the King Air 260, King Air 360, and Grand Caravan EX models.

• Daher reported a strong year with 82 aircraft deliveries, mainly from its Kodiak 100 and TBM 960 models.

Piston Aircraft: Flight Training and Private Aviation Driving Growth

The piston aircraft segment led in terms of volume, with 1,772 deliveries, reinforcing the demand for pilot training and personal aviation.

• Cirrus Aircraft remained the market leader, shipping 731 aircraft, including its best-selling SR22 and Vision Jet SF50 models.

• Textron Aviation Cessna delivered 281 piston aircraft, with the Skyhawk and Skylane being the top choices for flight schools worldwide.

• Diamond Aircraft followed with 252 deliveries, covering its DA20, DA40, DA42, and DA62  models.

• Pipistrel with 91 Aircraft delivered and Tecnam  with  283 aircraft delivered  contributed to the training market with electric and low-emission piston aircraft, aligning with the industry's sustainability goals.

H125 and H145 foto- foto altı Airbus Helicopters H125 and  H145 Ecocopter

Helicopter Segment Performance

The helicopter market saw continued expansion, with 1,035 deliveries in 2024. Turbine helicopters dominated with 825 shipments, while piston helicopters accounted for 210 units. Total helicopter billings amounted to $5.17 billion.

Turbine Helicopters: Expanding Utility and Corporate Use

• Airbus Helicopters led the sector with 349 deliveries, driven by the popularity of its H125, H130, and H145 models in corporate, medical, and law enforcement roles.

• Leonardo Helicopters followed with 183 deliveries, largely from its AW139, AW169, and AW189 series.

• Bell Helicopter delivered 172 aircraft, with the Bell 505 and Bell 407GXi models seeing strong market adoption.

• Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin) recorded deliveries of S-92 and military-grade Black Hawk helicopters, which were not fully accounted for in civil shipment figures.

Piston Helicopters: Robinson Leads the Market

• Robinson Helicopter Company retained its dominance, delivering 295 helicopters, including the R22, R44, and R66 models.

• Guimbal and Schweizer contributed with shipments of their Cabri G2 and S300 series helicopters, respectively.

Regional Breakdown: North America Leads, Followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific

North America remained the dominant market, receiving 70.4% of total aircraft shipments, followed by:

• Europe (12.9%)

• Asia-Pacific (5.4%)

• Latin America (7.7%)

• Middle East & Africa (3.6%)

The demand in North America was largely driven by business jet operators, private owners, and flight training institutions, while Europe and Asia-Pacific saw steady growth in both business aviation and flight training sectors. Latin America and Africa demonstrated growing interest in utility and special mission aircraft, particularly in the turboprop and helicopter segments.

Outlook for 2025: Sustainability and Technological Advancements

The aviation industry is actively shifting towards sustainable and next-generation aircraft to meet global environmental targets. Several key trends are expected to shape the sector:

Electric and Hybrid Aircraft Development

 • Pipistrel and Tecnam are leading the charge with electric aircraft designed for training and short-haul operations.

• Major OEMs, including Airbus and Boeing, are investing in hybrid-electric propulsion for future commercial applications.

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Adoption

• Gulfstream, Bombardier, and Dassault are incorporating SAF capabilities into their long-range jets to reduce emissions.

• Textron Aviation and Embraer are testing SAF on their latest aircraft models to meet regulatory standards.

Advanced Avionics and Automation

• Increasing integration of autonomous flight systems, AI-driven avionics, and digital cockpit interfaces.

• Embraer and Airbus are investing in urban air mobility (UAM) solutions, with eVTOL aircraft expected to enter commercial service within the next decade.

Fleet Expansion in Emerging Markets

• Growing demand for air travel in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa is expected to drive increased orders for both business jets and regional aircraft.

• OEMs are focusing on cost-effective and fuel-efficient aircraft solutions for operators in these regions.

With strong market fundamentals and increasing global demand, the general aviation industry is poised for further expansion in 2025, reinforcing its role in business, emergency response, and commercial aviation. The shift toward sustainability, coupled with technological advancements, will define the next era of aviation innovation