Four of the ‘big five’ OEMs have announced provisional or full results for 2022 and have also provided insights into their prospects for 2023.
Gulfstream Aerospace delivered 120 bizjets in 2022, up by one unit on its 2021 deliveries, and marginally below its own prediction of 124. Of this total, 96 were large cabin aircraft (G500, G600 and G650) and 24 mid-size G280. The outlook for 2023 is more promising with the Gulfstream predicting 145 deliveries by year end with revenues expected to reach USD10.4 billion. The Savannah-based manufacturer is also holding firm on its estimate of 170 aircraft deliveries in 2024. Gulfstream further reported an increased aerospace backlog that is 20% higher than 2021 and 68% greater than 2020. Strong growth is reported in Middle East and Southeast Asia (away from mainland China).
Bombardier delivered 123 bizjets in 2022, an increase of three over 2021. This total comprised 70 Globals, 50 Challengers and the last three Learjets (the final Learjet was delivered 28 March 2022). Revenues increased YoY by 14.1% from CAD 6.1 billion to CAD6.9 billion. The Canadian OEM estimates that it will deliver 138 jets in 2023 with revenues expected to hit CAD7.6 billion. It also confirmed that it has factored residual supply chain issues into this bullish prediction for the coming year.
Textron Aviation reported a very successful Q4 with deliveries of 52 Cessna Citations compared to 46 the same period in 2022. Similarly, deliveries of turboprops – including King Airs, Caravans and Sky Couriers – rose to 47 against 43 delivered in Q4 2021. Although the manufacturer continues to report supply chain problems, its backlog has jumped from USD4.1 billion at the end of 2021 to USD6.4 billion at the end of 2022.
According to preliminary data, France’s Dassault Aviation delivered 32 Falcons in 2022, up from the 30 delivered in 2021 but down on its forecast of 35. Most strikingly, however, it reported a Falcon order backlog of 87, representing a 55.2% increase over the 55 that were on order at the end of 2021.