In its third-quarter 2019 Avionics Market Report, the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) reveals that in the first nine months of the year, total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales amounted to $2,287,701,583.05, as reported by participating companies. The figure represents a 14.3 per cent increase in total sales compared to the first nine months of 2018.

During the third quarter months of July, August and September, sales increased 14.9 per cent compared to the same time one year before.

The dollar amount reported uses net sales price and not manufacturer's suggested retail price, and covers all business and general aviation aircraft electronic sales, including all component and accessories in cockpit/cabin/software upgrades/portables/certified and noncertified aircraft electronics; all hardware (tip to tail); batteries; and chargeable product upgrades from the participating manufacturers. The amount does not include repairs and overhauls, extended warranty or subscription services.

Of the more than $2.2 billion for sales during Jan-Sep 2019, 52.8 per cent came from the retrofit market (avionics equipment installed after original production), while forward fit sales (avionics equipment installed by airframe manufacturers during original production) amounted to 47.2 per cent of sales.

According to the companies that separated their total sales figures between North America (US and Canada) and other international markets, 74.9 per cent of the year-to-date sales volume occurred in North America, while 25.1 per cent took place in other international markets.

“The business and general aviation avionics industry has now seen an increase in year-over-year sales for 11 consecutive quarters,” said AEA president and CEO Mike Adamson. “As we approach nearly three years with steadily increasing sales, I'm encouraged with the upward trend as industry looks to move beyond the Federal Aviation Administration's ADS-B Out deadline of New Year's Day 2020.”