Business and general aviation fixed-wing aircraft billings soared 14.3% last year, reaching $26.7 billion, as shipments improved by 3% to 3,162 units, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reported today. Meanwhile, helicopter billings improved 7.6% to $4.5 billion on 956 shipments, a 0.4% increase from 2023.

Releasing its 2024 shipment and billings report during its annual State of the Industry press conference in Washington, D.C., the association noted that collectively, preliminary values reached $31.2 billion. “This strong performance provides great momentum into 2025, but it is essential that policymakers and regulators on both sides of the Atlantic recognize that for continued growth, they must work with industry on policy issues such as taxes, trade, regulations, and supply chain,” said Pete Bunce, who presided over his final State of the Industry event as president and CEO of GAMA.

Except for turboprop shipments, all segments of the industry strengthened in 2024, despite complexities of the supply chain that impacted the entire industry, as well as strikes that particularly took a toll on Textron Aviation deliveries. Business jet deliveries led the increases, up 4.7% to 754, which helped drive the big step forward in billings.

Piston airplane deliveries improved by 4.2% to 1,722, while piston helicopter shipments were up 0.5% to 210 and turbine helicopters increased by 0.4% to 746. Turboprop shipments dipped by 1.9% to 626.

With a small increase in the number of aircraft delivered last year, Pilatus Aircraft's revenues surged 10.5% to CHF 1.63 billion ($1.8 billion). Reporting year-end results today, the Swiss aircraft manufacturer said its profits grew by 1.3%, while new orders soared by 44.9% to CHF 2.19 billion.

Last year, Pilatus delivered 153 airplanes—96 PC-12 NGX turboprop singles, 51 PC-24 twinjets, and six PC-21 military trainers. This compares with 148 aircraft handed over in 2023—101 PC-12s and 47 PC-24s.

The order backlog at Pilatus is 25.5% above the start of last year, with a combined value of CHF 2.92 billion as of December 31. This consists of growing orders for both the PC-12 and PC-24, as well as orders for 19 PC-21s from the Royal Canadian Air Force and a contract with the Dutch government for eight PC-7 MKX basic trainers.

In its annual report, the Pilatus leadership team acknowledged increased supply-chain challenges caused by “all too frequent delays” in receiving parts. This has prompted the company to invest in a strategy of insourcing manufacturing.

Following a 12% growth in business aircraft billings in 2024, the Teal Group is anticipating that the market will experience 10% growth this year. Releasing a 10-year forecast in its World Military and Civil Aircraft Briefing this week, Teal however predicted that the business aircraft market will flatten out—if not soften—over the next 10 years.

Teal is forecasting 10,693 business aircraft deliveries valued at $273.50 billion from 2025 through 2034. This forecast is slightly tempered (by a tenth of a percentage point) from last year’s 10-year outlook.

According to Teal, 1,045 business aircraft valued at $25.6 billion were delivered last year, up 3.2% in units and 12.1% in revenues from 2023. This year, Teal foresees deliveries climbing 5.8% to 1,106 business aircraft and values soaring 10.1% to $28.19 billion.

Last year’s results were moderated by the strike at Textron Aviation, but deliveries of new large-cabin business jets drove the revenue gains, Teal maintained.

The forecast also predicts 7,534 civil rotorcraft deliveries worth $53.54 billion through 2034, a slight improvement over last year’s outlook. For 2025, Teal anticipates delivery of 796 civil rotorcraft, up 3.9% from 766 in 2024, while revenues increase 7% to $5.18 billion, compared with $4.84 billion last year.

Overall, with commercial, business, and utility aircraft, and civil rotorcraft, Teal expects steady market growth until 2030, followed by a cyclic downturn.

After installing its first Starlink low-earth-orbit satcom system on a Bombardier Global XRS, Yingling Aviation is now offering Starlink for the Challenger 600 series. The Starlink supplemental type certificates (STCs) were developed by Nextant Aerospace and, as a Starlink dealer, Yingling is able to install the systems under the provisions of the STCs.

“We are thrilled to bring this game-changing connectivity to our customers, whether as a stand-alone event or coupled with our Bombardier MRO capabilities,” said Josh Peterson, avionics regional/technical sales manager at Yingling Aviation. “With speeds of 220+ Mbps, passengers can now enjoy connectivity and low latency similar to what they experience at home—whether for business or entertainment.”

High demand for Starlink installations is causing backlogs at shops, so Yingling recommends booking slots early. Slots are available in March at the Wichita-based MRO provider, it noted.

SpaceX’s Starlink aviation service offers download speeds from 40 to 220 Mbps and upload speeds from eight to 25 Mbps, allowing multiple passengers to stream content simultaneously while maintaining latency under 99 ms for activities such as video calls, online gaming, and using VPNs. Service costs range from $2,000 per month for 20 GB (plus $100 per additional GB) to $10,000 per month unlimited. The hardware retails for $150,000; installation costs are additional.

Organizers of the 2025 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) have released details of their planned conference program. Today, the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) said that topic-based presentations and discussions will be spread across three “stages” during the May 20 to 22 event in Geneva.

The main conference sessions will be based on the Air Ops event, which EBAA has incorporated into the EBACE format. All of the topics covered relate to the work of ground handlers, airports, FBOs, trip planners, and aircraft operators, with speakers to include experts from organizations such as NetJets, OpsGroup, and Airlec Ambulance.

Innovation is the second main theme from the 2025 conference program and this “stage” will feature sessions on advanced air mobility, sustainable aviation fuel, and compliance with decarbonization policies. Confirmed speakers include leaders from companies such as Bombardier, 4Air, and Azzera.

The third stage will be hosted by Flight Daily News. It will include discussions on business aviation news and topical issues.

“2025 marks a turning point for EBACE and we’re excited to offer an elevated experience for the entire business aviation community,” said EBAA COO Robert Baltus. “Our improved conference agenda will take a refreshed format, delivering actionable content across three new stages, while tackling the topics that matter most to our members.”

Thornton Aviation has increased its capacity at California's Burbank Airport (KBUR) with a new hangar and expanded staff. The maintenance provider, headquartered in nearby Van Nuys, now operates out of two hangars at KBUR and can accommodate up to six large-cabin business aircraft.

“Today, we are working on a Global 5000, a Gulfstream V, and we’re expecting a GIV. We also have a Falcon 7X about to deliver. We have 14 technicians on site today, although a couple are borrowed from Van Nuys,” said Rodney Bryant, general manager at KBUR. “Our long-term goal is to have 15 technicians based at this facility so that we are able to consistently work three to four aircraft at a time while having capacity for unscheduled work.”

Bryant, who joined the company from StandardAero, has more than 30 years of experience in aviation maintenance and leadership roles. He was appointed to oversee the expansion and operations at the KBUR facility.

The expansion comes amid increasing demand for aircraft maintenance, including Starlink satcom installations. The facility regularly handles at least two such installations at a time. Additionally, it has experienced a rise in maintenance requests from local and transient operators.

EASA has certified Boost Systems’ complex Personnel Carrying Device System (cPCDS) for Airbus H125/AS350/AS355 helicopter rescue configurations. The system builds on the company’s previously certified Human External Cargo (HEC) system, offering European operators a comprehensive and reliable solution for multi-person rescue operations.

The latest approval was done in partnership with AirWork & Heliseilerei (A&H), a company with experience in designing and certifying complex personnel-carrying systems for various helicopter models.

“The Boost HEC System for the Airbus H125/AS350/AS355 was EASA certified in 2023, and we received overwhelming support from European operators. Now, in partnership with A&H, we offer the complete solution, including the EASA-certified complex Personal Carrying Device System (cPCDS). Working closely with A&H allowed us to offer a cPCDS specifically for our Airbus H125/AS350 HEC System here in Europe,” said Derek Thomas, president of Boost Systems.

Boost’s HEC System for the H125/AS350/AS355, with a carrying capacity of 1,100 pounds (500 kilograms), claims to be efficient for multi-person rescues and mission adaptability. Its provisions kit is designed for quick installation, while the mission kit, featuring dual hooks and a load beam, can be installed or removed in minutes.

The newly certified system is available for purchase through A&H.