Business and general aviation avionics and electronics sales increased 13 percent year-over-year in the first three months, to nearly $640 million, the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) reported in its newly released first-quarter 2018 Avionics Market Report. Notably, the retrofit market accounted for 56.8 percent of the first-quarter 2018 sales, with forward-fit sales amounting to 43.2 percent.

The quarter’s tally was an increase over the approximately $566 million sold in the same period last year, AEA said. Dollar amounts reported represent net sales prices of all business and general aviation aircraft electronic sales, including component, accessories, hardware, and batteries. It does not include repairs and overhauls, extended warranty, or subscription services.

North America, including both the U.S. and Canada, continues to dominate sales, at 76.1 percent of total volume. All other international markets combined for the remaining 23.9 percent of sales.

"The report shows that industry saw a significant increase in sales in both the retrofit and forward-fit markets to begin the year, a positive indicator for the overall health of the industry," said AEA president Paula Derks. "This first-quarter report also comes on the heels of the 2017 year-end report that showed the retrofit market up 20 percent in sales from the previous year."