The general aviation avionics industry has seen more than $1.7 billion in sales through the first nine months, representing a 5.4 percent year-over-year increase, according to statistics released yesterday by the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA). That total takes into account all business and general aviation aircraft electronics sales but does not include repairs, overhauls, extended warranty, or subscription services.

Of the total sales to date this year, 53.7 percent came from the retrofit market, equipment installed after original aircraft production, while equipment included on delivery by airframers made up the balance. Nearly three-quarters of the 2021 sales volume took place in the U.S. and Canada.

Market sales have been steadily growing over the past five quarters, with the most recently ended quarter showing 5.8 percent improvement over the first quarter of 2021, and 1.8 percent over the second quarter.

“We are encouraged that this report indicates industry sales are continuing an upward trend despite the lingering pandemic and changing market forces,” said AEA president and CEO Mike Adamson. “Although the 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 forward to 2022."