The HondaJet continues to be the most delivered light aircraft for the fourth year in a row.
Honda has recently announced that its HondaJet was once again the most delivered aircraft in its class in 2020. Going off data provided by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), this Japanese light aircraft continues to rank at the top of the light aircraft sales chart for the fourth consecutive year.
While business may have dipped slightly from the 36 aircraft that was delivered in 2019, the coronavirus pandemic (and ensuing economic slump) that dominated much of 2020 had nevertheless not deterred 31 lucky customers from taking delivery of their new HondaJets last year. In fact, sales of this light aircraft actually grew in the second half of last year compared to the same time the year before, with 22 units shifted during this time in 2020 as compared to 2019.
According to Michimasa Fujino, President and CEO of the Honda Aircraft Company, while the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a decline in overall business jet deliveries compared to previous years, the aircraft manufacturer also have seen the industry ‘accelerating the shift to safer and more sustainable modes of transportation’. Moreover, Mr. Fujino notes that the demand for the HondaJet now includes many first time business jet owners too, who have ‘come to realise the benefit of traveling private’.
So in order to cater to the wider array of international customers, the Japanese aeroplane maker has managed to attain type certification for the HondaJet in Pakistan and Russia last year. Additionally, the Honda Aircraft Company has also added a new service centre and flight training centre in the UK to further support its growing fleet that currently stands at over 170 HondaJets operated worldwide with over 68,000 flight hours clocked cumulatively.
As for developments closer to its native homeland meanwhile, HondaJet Japan has begun a charter service for these private jets for general customers over there. Operated by Japanese trading house Marubeni Corp, the hourly rate for these 5 passenger private flights range from between ¥500,000 (RM 19,000) and ¥600,000 (RM 23,000).
Initially launched in 2015, the HondaJet Elite is touted to be is ‘the fastest, farthest and highest-flying plane in its class’. Certified for single pilot operation and powered by twin GE Honda Aero Engines HF120 that are supposedly ‘significantly more fuel efficient and emits less greenhouse gases than all other similarly sized twin-engine business jets’, these Japanese private jets retail from $5.3 million (RM 21.5 million).
PRESS RELEASE: Honda Aircraft Company announced today that in 2020, the HondaJet was the most delivered aircraft in its class for the fourth consecutive year, based on data provided by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). During 2020, Honda Aircraft Company delivered 31 aircraft to customers globally.
“While the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a decline in overall business jet deliveries compared to previous years, we also have seen it accelerating the shift to safer and more sustainable modes of transportation,” stated Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. “HondaJet deliveries quickly recovered to pre-COVID levels by the end of the year, showing that customers around the globe continue to choose the HondaJet. This includes many first time business jet owners, who have come to realize the benefit of traveling private. We believe that the HondaJet will keep contributing to the recovery of the global business aviation market.”
Honda Aircraft Company also announced that HondaJet Japan has begun charter service of the HondaJet under Air Transport Services, defined in Japanese Aviation Law similar to FAR Part 135 operation, making the aircraft even more accessible to travellers in Japan.
In 2020, Honda Aircraft Company expanded its global footprint with type certifications in Pakistan and Russia. Honda Aircraft Company’s sales and service footprint now spans North America, Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, China, the Middle East, India, Japan and Russia. The HondaJet fleet continues to grow – currently, over 170 HondaJets are operated worldwide with more than 68,000 flight hours. The HondaJet also continues to demonstrate its industry-leading dispatch reliability.
To support the global HondaJet fleet, Honda Aircraft Company continues to strengthen its service and support network. In 2020, the company added a new service center and flight training center in the UK. Honda Aircraft Company commits to providing unparalleled levels of service and support to every customer.
About the HondaJet Elite
The HondaJet Elite is the fastest, farthest and highest-flying plane in its class. The HondaJet Elite incorporates Honda Aircraft’s many technological innovations, including the unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, Natural Laminar Flow (NLF) nose and wing, and composite fuselage. The aircraft is also powered by the GE Honda Aero Engines HF120. All of these advancements contribute to the aircraft’s superior performance, unparalleled efficiency and maximized fuselage space, making the aircraft’s cabin the largest in its class. The HondaJet Elite cabin features a full service galley, a private lavatory with optional belted seat and an industry-first Bongiovi sound system. The aircraft sets the gold standard in safety and human-machine interface technology with an ergonomically designed cockpit and enhanced customized Garmin® G3000 avionics suite.
Honda Aircraft continues to be committed to improving lives through personal mobility, while living in a sustainable society. The HondaJet Elite remains significantly more fuel efficient and emits less greenhouse gases than all other similarly sized twin-engine business jets. Certified for single pilot operations, the HondaJet Elite continues to live up to the company’s reputation for superior performance, efficiency, quality, and value.
About Honda Aircraft Company
Honda Aircraft Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Founded in 2006, Honda Aircraft’s world headquarters is located in North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation. The challenging spirit upon which Mr. Soichiro Honda founded Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is alive today as Honda Aircraft fulfills one of Honda’s longstanding dreams to advance human mobility skyward.
