Today, the European General Aviation Manufacturers Group (EGAMA) issued for the first time a set of key Facts & Figures (2004-2008) for the European General Aviation Manufacturers. EGAMA is an active grouping of ASD (AeroSpace & Defence Industries Association of Europe).

Speaking on the fringe of European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (EBACE) and commenting a key set of figures (2004-2008), EGAMA Chairman, Olivier Villa, Senior VP Civil Aircraft of Dassault Aviation, declared "I am very pleased to report that the European manufacturing industry has been growing fast in the past few years in terms of both volume and economic importance and has continuously increased its share in the worldwide market, making it second behind the US. At the same time General & Business Aviation industry has been fully recognised by the EU institutions".

"The industry is feeling from the impact of the big economic downturn, which is a concern for our members. Some adjustments of work force are inevitable to compensate for the weakness in orders" Villa added. "However, we are massively investing in R&D to maintain our competitiveness and to be ready to offer cutting- edge products to our customers".

Olivier Villa also pointed out that EGAMA is working on a Chart for Green General & Business Aviation providing a number of commitments from life-product cycle to maintenance.

The shipments of general aviation airplanes by European manufacturing industry have increased by 69% over the period (2004-2008), reaching a record in 2007 with 1209 units. The delivery commercial value has increased by 59% over the same period to reach € billion 8,8 in 2008. This means that Europe produces the equivalent of 30% of fixed-wing aircraft when compared to the US production and about the same as regards helicopters.

The respective share of fixed-wing aircraft deliveries and helicopters deliveries is roughly the same over the period. However, about 2/3 of total fixed-wing aircraft are delivered in Europe whilst around 2/3 of the total helicopters are delivered outside Europe.