The Aircraft Electronics Association has released its third-quarter 2020 Avionics Market Report. In the first nine months of the year, total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales amounted to more than $1.6 billion as reported by the participating companies. The figure represents a 27 per cent decrease in total sales compared to the first nine months of 2019. During the third-quarter months of July, August and September, sales decreased 33.4 per cent compared to the same time frame one year ago.

However, sales in the third quarter of 2020 were up 5.9 per cent compared to the second quarter of this year, with retrofit sales up 10.8 per cent over the second quarter.

The dollar amount reported, using net sales price, not manufacturer's suggested retail price, includes: all business and general aviation aircraft electronic sales, including all component and accessories in cockpit/cabin/software upgrades/portables/certified and non-certified aircraft electronics; all hardware from 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 $1.6 billion in sales during the first nine months of 2020, 54.5 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 45.5 per cent of sales.

According to the companies that separated their total sales figures between North America, namely the US and Canada, and other international markets, 73.7 per cent of the year-to-date sales volume occurred in North America, while 26.3 per cent took place in other international markets.

“The significant contraction of industry sales during the last six months has been driven by the international health crisis,” says AEA president and CEO Mike Adamson. “However, we are encouraged with the direction of activity in the retrofit market, which is up nearly 11 per cent over second quarter total sales. In addition, the overwhelming majority of AEA member shops and manufacturers are continuing their essential operations, and many are reporting customer backlogs that extend several weeks and into next year.”