The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) has released its second quarter 2021 Avionics Market Report. In the first six months of the year, total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales amounted to $1,069,737,831, or more than $1 billion as reported by the participating companies.

The figure represents a 7.1 per cent decrease in total sales compared to the first six months of 2020; however, during the second quarter months of April, May and June, sales increased 2.1 per cent compared to the same time frame one year ago.

The dollar amount reported, using the net sales price, not the 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 (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 billion in sales during the first half of 2021, 55 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 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, 75.2 per cent of the year-to-date sales volume occurred in North America, while 24.8 per cent took place in other international markets.

“While it's encouraging to see a modest increase in sales compared to the second quarter of last year, this report is somewhat mixed as it ended a string of sales increases over the preceding nine months,” says AEA president and CEO Mike Adamson. “The avionics industry is still facing some headwinds with various supply chain issues and global travel restrictions. With new products and services entering the market, the resounding success of recent trade shows and resilient consumers, there are still positive signs for general aviation to continue its climb.”