The general aviation industry shipped a total of 2,243 airplanes and rotorcraft in the first nine months of 2015 for a combined value of $18.5 billion, according to statistics released Friday by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). The statistics indicate a 6.5 percent decline in shipments in the fixed-wing segment compared with the same period in 2014 and a 5.9 percent decline in the rotorcraft segment.

“Although the industry’s performance among sectors in the third quarter remained mixed, new and recently certified business jet models helped raise overall billings,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce. “In the turboprop market, our agricultural aircraft sector has been particularly hard hit by the U.S. Export-Import Bank’s inability to make new financing guarantees since July 1. Therefore, we are very encouraged by the strong bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives this month that complements U.S. Senate support in late summer to renew the Ex-Im Bank.

“We are hopeful that the Surface Transportation bill to which Ex-Im re-authorization is attached will be conferenced quickly and sent to the President’s desk for his signature. We also hope Congress will move quickly to extend critical tax policies, providing greater certainty to the market going forward.”

Business jet deliveries increased by 4.3 percent in the firstnine months of 2015 at 465 units compared to 446 unitsduring the same period a year earlier. Piston rotorcraft matched last year's shipment rate at 205 aircraft year-to-date. However, piston airplane shipments declined from 806 units to 719 units, a 10.8 percent reduction, and turboprops declined from 413 unitsto 374 units, amounting to a 9.4 percent fall. The industry shipped 480 turbine rotorcraft, down 8.6 percent compared to last year.