Transformative year in aerospace brings highs, lows, new civil aircraft

NEWPORT, Wash., 16 March 2016. The civil aviation market is continuing to grow, and 2015 was a year of transformation, Zodiac Aerospace executives in Newport, Washington, explain in their annual assessment of the aerospace industry. Global passenger traffic, expressed in Passenger-Kilometers Transported (PKT) grew by 6.5 percent over calendar year 2015, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Montreal, Canada, they continue, noting that growth varied depending on the end market.

Commercial aviation activities generally expanded, driven by the ramp up of new programs (Boeing 787, Airbus A350XWB).

Regional aviation was more muted for current programs while new programs are at different stages of development.

The most advanced in terms of timetable is the Bombardier CSeries which is preparing to enter into service for its launch customer.

The Mitsubishi MRJ is continuing flight tests, while the Embraer E2 made its first appearance in February.

Meanwhile, the business aviation market continues to be under pressure, while the helicopter market has been dented by the weakness of the oil services sector on the back of the slump in the oil price.

Overall, OEM activities are plateauing out in terms of deliveries.

After-sales activities for in-service fleets are continuing to expand.

Zodiac Aerospace provides aerospace equipment and systems for commercial, regional, and business aircraft, helicopters, and spacecraft worldwide. It develops and manufactures state-of-the-art solutions to improve comfort and facilities on board aircraft and high-technology systems to increase aircraft performance and flight safety. Zodiac Aerospace has 35,000 employees worldwide and generated revenue of [Eur]4.9 billion in 2014/2015.