Aircraft Orders and Deliveries See Significant Growth in Early 2025

The commercial aircraft industry has started 2025 with remarkable momentum, as January figures reveal a substantial increase in both orders and deliveries. According to the latest data from ADS Group, aircraft orders surged by 168% compared to January 2024, significantly exceeding the five-year average of 67 orders.

Record-Breaking January Performance

January 2025 saw 71 aircraft delivered, marking the highest January delivery rate since 2019. This 22% growth compared to January 2024 signals a potential turning point for the industry after several challenging years.

The strong January order rebound indicates renewed confidence among airline decision-makers, reflecting similar positive trends observed in 2022 and 2023. Industry analysts suggest this could be the beginning of a sustained recovery period.

Impressive Backlog Promises Long-Term Stability

The current backlog stands at an impressive 15,834 aircraft, representing approximately £258 billion in value for the UK aerospace sector. This backlog translates to more than a decade of work, providing long-term stability for the industry and its workforce.

Single-Aisle Aircraft Dominate Deliveries

Over 90% of January deliveries were single-aisle aircraft, highlighting the continued strong demand for short-haul travel solutions. This trend aligns with the industry's focus on efficient, cost-effective aircraft for regional and domestic routes.

Cautious Optimism for 2025

While the January figures provide an encouraging outlook for 2025, industry experts remain cautiously optimistic. Aimie Stone, chief economist at ADS Group, notes that "increased delivery rates highlight the industry's ongoing focus towards ramping-up production."

The aerospace sector faced numerous challenges in 2024, including:

• Persistent supply chain disruptions
• Labour shortages across key skill areas
• An increasingly complex regulatory environment

Despite these obstacles, the strong start to 2025 suggests the industry is successfully navigating these challenges and moving towards a period of sustained growth.

Future Growth Depends on Global Coordination

For the positive momentum to continue, Stone emphasises that "global policy coordination, along with support from both the business community and governments, will remain crucial."

The UK aerospace sector, represented by ADS Group's more than 1,400 member businesses, stands to benefit significantly from this industry resurgence. However, continued investment in skills development, supply chain resilience, and technological innovation will be essential to fully capitalise on these opportunities.

As airlines continue to modernise their fleets and expand their operations, the aircraft manufacturing industry appears well-positioned for a strong performance throughout 2025, potentially marking the beginning of a new growth cycle for the sector.