US aircraft deliveries and billings increase in first half of 2012

US aircraft deliveries increased during the first half of 2012 by 5.9 per cent year on year with value of deliveries up 13.2 per cent to US$8.2 billion, according to the latest figures from Washington-based General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

Deliveries by category show business jets grew 13 per cent and turboprops 10.5 per cent while piston engine deliveries declined 1.6 per cent. Total global deliveries across all models were up during second quarter at 504 from 465 in same period 2011.

The positive signs of shipment growth could be improved further by speeding up the certification processes, said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce, although steps have been made by FAA in this area. "When coupled with the positive trend we are seeing in the used market, we may finally be witnessing the start of our recovery."

For Wichita in state of Kansas, cited as the US Air Capital of the world, not all of its general aviation manufactures experienced upswing with Cessna Aircraft Co. Producers of business jets and small, piston powered aircraft down nine per cent year-on-year in deliveries, billings were up by $96.2 million.

Deliveries for Hawker Beechcraft Corp business jets were down to 29 deliveries from 43 deliveries in 2011 with some slight gains in billings by $29.9 million. Hawker's military deliveries dropped from 22 to 13, billing information was unavailable, cited a report from Wichita Business Journal.