Adding It Up

While the aerospace industry suffered drops in orders and backlog in 2009, total aerospace sales have increased this year and will do so again in 2010, according to Aerospace Industries Association projections.

AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey told attendees of the organization's annual year-end luncheon in Washington this afternoon that while "there are decreases in some aerospace categories . . . our projection for continued overall sales growth is a solid barometer that the aerospace industry boosts trade and generates thousands of high-paying jobs across the country."

Aerospace exports dropped by 17 percent in 2009 and imports went down by 34 percent, according to AIA. On the other hand, the industry's trade surplus is still the largest of any manufacturing sector at $54 billion, Blakey said.