The change in fortunes of the business aviation industry since the 2008 EBACE show last May truly beggars belief. Since sometime around September last year the financial crisis–caused at least in part by self-destructive behavior of some of the industry’s best customers, the bankers–has been one kick in the teeth after another.
Major business aircraft manufacturers have cut close to 20,000 jobs in the last six months or so. And according to the most recent projections from the Teal Group, business aircraft production between 2009 and 2018 will be around 12,768 units–a 30-percent dip on the company’s own previous projection made just last year.
But cheer up. The atmosphere at this week’s EBACE show has certainly not been desperate. As of last night, visitor attendance had reached 10,738, which would make the 2009 event the third largest since the show was launched in 2001. And if that number edges above 11,000 today, it will actually turn out to be the second largest ever. Plus, there are actually more aircraft here this year–65 out on the static display compared with 60 last year.
