Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace

ADS reports record-breaking aircraft orders

A record-breaking 1,667 orders were placed for global aircraft in the first half of 2023, the best since 2010.

Image courtesy ADS

The latest report from ADS Group, the trade association for the aerospace, defence, security and space organisations, highlights a 129% increase in aircraft orders placed in the first half of 2023 compared to 2022 figures.
 
The outstanding figure is driven by the most successful H1 for aircraft orders since ADS records began in 2010, with June and Paris Airshow announcements boosting the global aircraft order book. In the single-aisle aircraft market, orders reflect strong market confidence with the 1,398 single-aisle aircraft ordered year to date, the highest order number on record.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The backlog of aircraft orders grew 11% in H1 2023 to 14,462 aircraft. In the same period in 2022, the backlog increased by just 1%. At current production rates, the aircraft backlog represents more than 10 years’ worth of work and a value of £218 billion to the UK.

Aircraft manufacturers delivered 582 aircraft during the first half of the year, an overall increase of more than 13% on the same period in 2022. Of note, in H1 2023, 85 wide-body aircraft were delivered, a 23% increase year on year.

Aimie Stone, Chief Economist at ADS Group, said: “ADS continues to highlight returning levels of confidence in the sector. Considering current production and delivery dates, ADS have uplifted our forecast of 1,215 aircraft deliveries by the end of this year.

“This would represent the largest number of aircraft delivered in more than three years, and is a strong signal that aircraft manufacturing is on its way to pre-pandemic trends, despite ongoing supply chain issues.”

Record breaking orders, recovering delivery figures and a healthy backlog showcase continued confidence in aerospace industry recovery, however ADS members consistently report pressure on UK supply chains.

In Q2, half of respondents to an ADS survey identified inflation as having a significant impact on their ability to grow, with the same proportion concerned about the costs of raw materials and inputs.

Advertisement
Teledyne

Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, said: “The roaring aircraft orders made during H1 2023 are a very welcome sign of increasing confidence in the sector. Separately, growth in delivery figures support our ADS expectations of a return to pre-pandemic levels of manufacturing in 2024.

“For UK industry to fully realise the manufacturing potential offered by the strong aircraft backlog and record order book seen at H1 2023, roadblocks - including supply chain issues and labour shortages affecting growth - need to be addressed. In the coming months, ADS will continue to work with our industry and political stakeholders to ensure focus on the current issues affecting the aerospace sector.”
 

 

 

Viasat test boosts business jet in-flight connectivity

Aerospace

Viasat test boosts business jet in-flight connectivity

8 July 2025

Viasat today announced a milestone for its JetXP business aviation in-flight broadband service, following recent test flights that successfully connected the Global Aero Terminal (GAT) 5510 to a ViaSat-3 satellite for the first time.

ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 advances student innovation

Aerospace

ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 advances student innovation

8 July 2025

Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced major student and faculty achievements resulting from the use of ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 Flight Simulator, which provides hands-on experience in aircraft design and performance evaluation, directly contributing to a growing body of student-led research and academic ...

Birmingham Airport sees busiest ever June

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport sees busiest ever June

8 July 2025

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has had its busiest June ever, with a record 1,360,957 passengers travelling through the airport last month.

Advanced Engineering 2025 extends additives and composites spotlight

Aerospace Events

Advanced Engineering 2025 extends additives and composites spotlight

7 July 2025

Taking place on 29th and 30th October 2025 at the NEC Birmingham, Advanced Engineering will have a new expanded Composites Pavilion, SME Village, the ADS Pavilion, AM2 Forum (Additive Manufacturing and Advanced Materials Forum) and a focused Electronics Zone.

Advertisement
Teledyne
CAA appoints experts to strengthen economic regs and growth

Aerospace

CAA appoints experts to strengthen economic regs and growth

7 July 2025

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has appointed a team of specialists at the forefront of economics and competition policy to provide strategic advice to the aviation regulator on economic regulation and the challenges and opportunities in enabling the aviation sector to transform and grow.

Skyports and Ajman Transport to advance AAM in Ajman

Aerospace

Skyports and Ajman Transport to advance AAM in Ajman

7 July 2025

Ajman Transport Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Skyports Infrastructure, with the aim of exploring opportunities for cooperation in the field of advanced air mobility (AAM) for smart aerial transport, including air taxi services, in the Emirate.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025