General Aviation - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The General Aviation Market size is estimated at 35.15 billion USD in 2025, and is expected to reach 43.11 billion USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.17% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

The Increasing Number Of HNWIs Is Acting As A Catalyst For The Increased Demand For Private Travel

• Growth in the HNWI and UHNWI populations globally is acting as a catalyst for the increased demand for private travel, subsequently driving the procurement of helicopters and business jets with enhanced cabin interiors. For instance, from 2017 to 2022, the HNWI population increased by 83% globally.
• With the growth in the tourism sector in various regions, many charter operators and tourism companies are planning to expand their fleets by introducing new piston-engine aircraft, turboprop aircraft, and helicopters. This trend is helping them further expand their presence globally. The growing concerns over aviation emissions shifted the focus of manufacturers toward the development of all-electric aircraft. New electric aircraft models are likely to be developed in the future.
• The piston fixed-wing aircraft maintained a share of around 35% of the overall general aviation aircraft delivered globally during 2017-2022. Over the next 20 years, 7,63,000 new civil aviation pilots will be required to operate and maintain the world fleet. Agricultural applications, such as aerial application of pesticides or fertilizers and hydro-seeding, have also aided the procurement of piston aircraft.
• In terms of value, business jets have the largest share. Of the total business jets present, nearly 93% are wholly owned, while the rest have shared and fractional ownership. The light jet segment dominated the market with 46%, followed by large jets with 26%, and mid-size jets with 24%. During 2023-2030, approximately 6000 business jets are expected to be delivered globally.

North America Set to Command 55.7% Share of Market Deliveries

• The global general aviation sector was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the shorter term, deliveries declined by 13% in 2020 and 2021. However, the surge in the utilization of helicopters, business jets, and other aircraft and the plans to procure new jets for transportation and charter operations are expected to remain unaffected in the long term, which may aid the growth of the general aviation market during the forecast period.
• Due to the growth of HNWIs and UHNWIs globally, there has been an increase in the demand for private travel, subsequently driving the procurement of helicopters and business jets with enhanced cabin interiors. From 2016 to 2021, the global UHNWI population increased from 348,355 in 2016 to 610,569 in 2021, a growth of around 75%.
• North America was the most dominating region globally in terms of deliveries, accounting for around 71% of the global business jet deliveries in 2021. Similarly, turboprop and piston aircraft accounted for 53% and 69% of the global deliveries in their category.
• In Europe, there is an increasing adoption of private jets for intra-region travel by most HNWIs due to the commercial airlines' cancellations of intra-region flights amid staff shortages. The growing demand for general aviation services globally, with significant recovery after the pandemic in the major markets, such as North America, Europe, and the Middle East, is expected to aid the global general aviation market.
• Around 29,000 aircraft comprising business jets, helicopters, turboprops, and piston aircraft are expected to be delivered globally during 2022-2028.

Global General Aviation Market Trends

The HNWI population is booming and is expected to be the biggest growth driver for the market

• HNWIs have over USD 1 million in liquid financial assets, while UHNWIs have a net worth of at least USD 30 million. From 2017 to 2022, there was a surge of around 90% in the HNWI population in the region. In 2022, the number of HNWIs in Asia-Pacific increased by 2% compared to 2020.
• Japan witnessed a growth rate of 15% in 2022. The slow growth of the HNWI population in major countries has affected the overall wealth growth in Asia-Pacific. In China, the increase in average wealth led to more than 70% in the number of millionaires. Asia-Pacific is emerging as the leading destination for wealth management and private banking globally, driven by the growing wealth in the region, the increasing HNWI population, and its need for financial advice.
• Factors such as a change in political leadership and low consumption during the pandemic impacted the Japanese Stock market, Nikkei 225, and hampered the growth of HNWIs in the country. Developing countries such as India, Vietnam, and Thailand witnessed growth in HNWIs compared to the leading Asia-Pacific countries. In 202, India witnessed a growth of over 292% in its HNWI population. Thailand and Vietnam witnessed a growth of around 21% and 13%, respectively. High liquidity support by central banks, supportive domestic policy, and stability in the stock markets aided the growth of HNWIs in these countries. Technology, industrial conglomerates, energy, and real estate were the major sectors that accounted for most of the Asia-Pacific HNWI population.

General Aviation Industry Overview

The General Aviation Market is fairly consolidated, with the top five companies occupying 66.92%. The major players in this market are Bombardier Inc., Dassault Aviation, Embraer, General Dynamics Corporation and Textron Inc. (sorted alphabetically).

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