DULUTH, Minn. — Cirrus Aircraft reports that in 2013 it delivered 276 new aircraft, nearly a 10% increase over 2012, marking its best aircraft shipment performance since 2008.

With these results, Cirrus Aircraft’s annual market share has grown to an all-time high of 37% and the SR22/22T model remains the best-selling four- or five-seat airplane for the 11th year in a row, company officials said.

"The key driver to this past year’s outstanding performance was Cirrus owners’ and pilots’ strong response to Generation 5, which was introduced in early 2013 with the new capability to carry 200 pounds more than any previous Cirrus airplane," said Todd Simmons, Executive Vice President Sales, Marketing and Customer Support at Cirrus Aircraft.

"But what makes 2013 results more important than any other year in our history is the real expansion of the Cirrus customer base in the last 12 months," he continued. "The most significant examples include current Cirrus owners upgrading to new ‘G5’ airplanes, first-time Cirrus owners moving up to the performance and capability of G5 from other airplane brands, corporate aircraft operators adding a Cirrus to a previously all turbine fleet, and both domestic and international training partners upgrading to new Cirrus aircraft. This broader and more diversified customer portfolio continues to drive the enterprise in 2014."

A highlight for Cirrus Aircraft in 2013 was final delivery in Saudi Arabia of more than 20 new Cirrus aircraft to the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) for its pilot training needs.

The Royal Saudi Air Force is the third national Air Force that has recently selected Cirrus Aircraft for its training needs, following the United States and France, company officials report.