May 30, 2012
News Release 12-059
Inv. No. 332-526
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

U.S. BUSINESS JET INDUSTRY SEVERELY HIT BY GLOBAL ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, USITC FINDS

Tighter Credit, Uncertain Government R&D Funding, and New Competitors Among Challenges Facing U.S. Business Jet Manufacturers

The U.S. business jet manufacturing industry is facing new challenges as it competes in a market environment characterized by tightened credit, uncertain government funding for research and development (R&D), and new entrants into the industry, reports the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) in its publication Business Jet Aircraft Industry: Structure and Factors Affecting Competitiveness.

The USITC recently concluded the investigation for the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Ways and Means. As requested, the report covers the period 2006-2010, with data from 2011 as available, for business jets at or below 50,000 pounds maximum takeoff weight.

The report provides an overview of the structure of the U.S. and global business jet industry; discusses the global market for business jet aircraft and the effects of the recent economic downturn on business jet demand; reviews government policies and programs involving the business jet industry, including those related to financial support, aircraft R&D, and certification; and examines factors that may affect the future competitiveness of the industry, particularly in the United States, Europe, Brazil, Canada, and China. Highlights of the report follow.

Business Jet Aircraft Industry: Structure and Factors Affecting Competitiveness (Investigation No. 332-526, USITC Publication 4314, April 2012) will be available on the USITC's Internet site at http://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4314.pdf. A CD-ROM of the report may be requested by e-mailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205-2000, or contacting the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

USITC general factfinding investigations, such as this one, cover matters related to tariffs or trade and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the House Committee on Ways and Means, or the Senate Committee on Finance. The resulting reports convey the Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subject investigated. The Commission makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the USITC submits its findings and analyses to the requester. General factfinding investigations reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.

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