The Aircraft Electronics Association has revealed that, in the first nine months of the year, worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales totaled over $1.7 billion.

The figure represents a 5.4% increase in total sales compared the first nine months of 2020. It also represents a 1.8% increase in sales from the second quarter of 2021 and marked the fifth consecutive quarter of increasing sales. This report also reflects adjusted second-quarter numbers from the participating companies. During the third-quarter months sales increased 15.8% year-on-year.

The dollar amount reported, using the net sales 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; batteries; and chargeable product upgrades from the participating manufacturers. The amount does not include repairs and overhauls, extended warranty or subscription services.

Of the sales during the first nine months 2021, 53.7% came from the retrofit market, while forward-fit sales amounted to 46.3% of sales.

According to the companies that separated their total sales figures between North America and other international markets, 74.8% of the year-to-date sales volume occurred in North America, while 25.2% took place in other international markets.

“We are encouraged that this report indicates industry sales are continuing an upward trend despite the lingering pandemic and changing market forces,” says AEA president and CEO Mike Adamson. “Although industry has seen robust sales during some unprecedented times, there are still challenges with the supply chain and workforce to work through as we close out the year and look ahead to 2022.”