Shares of the Cessna business jet maker rose ~1% in premarket trading.

A stronger-than-expected demand for air travel has forced airlines to keep older jets in service for longer, leading to a rise in demand for spare parts and aftermarket service.

On adjusted basis, the company earned $1.05 per share in the first quarter, compared with analysts' average estimate of $1 per share, according to Refinitiv data.

Revenue at Textron's Aviation unit was $1.1 billion, up $109 million from last year, reflecting higher pricing of $58 million and higher volume of $51 million.

However, the segment's jet deliveries fell to 35 from 39 during the same time due to continued supply chain snags.

In Bell unit, the company reported $621 million revenue, down $213 million from a year earlier.

While the demand for private flying has begun to flatten from the height of COVID-19, Textron's Aviation segment still had a sizeable order backlog worth $6.5 billion at the quarter end.

The jet maker's total revenue of $3.02 billion missed analysts' average estimate of $3.11 billion.

(Reporting by Ananta Agarwal in Bengaluru; Editing by Shweta Agarwal)