The National Business Aviation Association convention, the biggest annual gathering of the private jet industry, wrapped up in Orlando this week. Despite the deepening economic crisis and a dip in demand for private jet travel, news from the jet industry was for the most part, upbeat, as jet makers debuted new aircraft models and initiatives. Here are the highlights.

Major industry forecast calls for a dip in jet deliveries in 2010 and 2011

According to Honeywell Aerospace’s 17th Business Aviation forecast:
• About 1,200 business jets will be delivered this year, 15% more than in 2007.
• Deliveries will continue to rise in 2009, topping out at 1,300 – 1,400 jets.
• Deliveries will dip in 2010 and 2011, primarily because new jets ordered this year, like the Gulfstream G650, won’t be airborne until 2012 or beyond.
• International orders will make up 45% – 55% of new aircraft purchases estimated over the next five years.
• Sales of new jets to fractional providers have remained flat since 2004, while jet cards and charter operators continue to increase demand for new aircraft.

Gulfstream debuts its super mid-sized G250

Gulfstream announced its newest model, the G250, that will roll off the assembly line in 2011. While the G250 will have the same basic fuselage as the G200, the new model will be more fuel-efficient and have more cabin space and a larger bathroom than the G200.

The G250 is Gulfstream’s second new jet unveiling this year. In March, the company announced the G650, a long-range jet that despite its $56 million price tag racked up a huge backlog of orders.

Hawker gives the 450XP a makeover

Hawker Beechcraft is upgrading the cabin on its 450XP jet and adding new engines to boost the jet’s fuel efficiency by 10%. The $7.7 million light business jet will debut in 2010. Hawker says the 450XP is the most commonly used aircraft model among fractional providers.

Bombardier Aerospace introduces the Learjet 85; stays positive about industry prospects

Bombardier showed off a full-size mockup of the interior of its midsize Learjet 85, an aircraft designed with a lighter composite material meant to improve flight and fuel efficiency. The aircraft will have the largest cabin space of any Learjet model.

Production of the new jet recently hit a snag when Grob, a German company handling the aircraft’s structural design, filed for bankruptcy. Bombardier still hopes to deliver the first jet by 2012 as planned.

Though company executives expect a slight softening in the market through 2010, their long-term outlook is positive—they say Bombardier will maintain a 33% share of the market.

Flexjet goes green

Fractional jet provider Flexjet announced that it’s created a new voluntary green initiative—owners can now pay an hourly fee to offset the carbon output of their flights. The company will offset any non-owner flights, such as trips made for maintenance purposes. Flexjet teamed up with carbon-offset provider Climate Care, which invests in projects around the world, including a wind-power farm in China.