General Atomics

ADS sees signs of a stabilising aircraft market

Commercial aircraft orders grew by almost two thirds in February 2025 compared to February 2024 according to ADS, with 27 narrowbody aircraft ordered in February 2025, even though no wide body aircraft orders were placed.


 
Image by Ricardo / copyright Shutterstock

The latest commercial aircraft data from the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space trade association further highlights a sustained growth in aircraft deliveries, with 86 delivered in February 2025. The ADS dataset highlights 13% year-on-year growth in aircraft deliveries and the highest for the month since 2019.

ADS data reflects a stabilising market and a steadying backlog of 15,767 aircraft orders. While this still accounts for £255 billion and around 14 years’ worth of work, this marks a slow departure from the record backlog figures seen in recent years.

Aimie Stone, Chief Economist at ADS commented on the figures: “February 2025 data is promising. Both orders and deliveries are showing steady albeit gradual improvement, indicating that market pressures – including workforce issues and regulatory hurdles – are gradually easing, as the deliveries of aircraft come through.

While the stabilising backlog will reassure investors, the absence of widebody orders this month could be a concern for UK manufacturers, given their exposure to the widebody market. This trend, if it continues, will need to be closely watched alongside growing demand for single-aisle aircraft.”

Related

Manufacturers warn Government over UK steel import tariffs
UK steel manufacturing
Manufacturers warn Government over UK steel import tariffs
As a petition highlighting the negative impact of Government-imposed steel import tariffs on UK manufacturing surpasses 10,000 signatures, industry calls for an urgent review.
UK airport reliability ranked: Heathrow leads globally while Manchester is near the bottom
Heathrow Airport, British Airways Airbus A380 engine, Feb 2015
UK airport reliability ranked: Heathrow leads globally while Manchester is near the bottom
A new study ranks Heathrow as the UK's most reliable airport, with Edinburgh ahead of Gatwick and Stansted, and Manchester near the bottom globally.
Aerospace

5 Aug 2026

Gatwick Northern Runway expansion clears Court of Appeal challenge
Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Northern Runway expansion clears Court of Appeal challenge
London Gatwick’s plans to bring its existing Northern Runway into routine…
Aerospace Most Read

5 Aug 2026

Manufacturers warn Government over UK steel import tariffs
UK steel manufacturing
Manufacturers warn Government over UK steel import tariffs
As a petition highlighting the negative impact of Government-imposed steel import tariffs on UK manufacturing surpasses 10,000 signatures, industry calls for an urgent review.
BAE Systems to maintain Royal Navy torpedoes
Spearfish
BAE Systems to maintain Royal Navy torpedoes
A new £135 million contract to has been awarded to BAE Systems to maintain and repair Royal Navy torpedo weapons.
Defence Member News

5 Aug 2026

Tempest demonstrator in final assembly ahead of planned first flight in 2027
The bulbous central fuselage section of BAE Systems' CAFD demonstrator is seen underway at the firm's facility in Samlesbury, Lancashire, in July 2026. Image: BAE Systems
Tempest demonstrator in final assembly ahead of planned first flight in 2027
BAE Systems' new Tempest prototype, otherwise known as the Combat Air Flying Demonstrator (CAFD), has passed the halfway point in final assembly, with its rollout and first flight remaining on track for 2027.
SSTL racks up smart storage solution
SSTL racks up smart storage solution
A smart racking solution from Altus has helped Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) integrate its materials management processes.
Member News Space

5 Aug 2026

Seraphim Space deploys first capital from £137m C share raise
Seraphim Space deploys first capital from £137m C share raise
The investments have been made in businesses involved in key areas that are driving the next phase of growth within the space sector.
Member News Space

4 Aug 2026

AccelerComm underpins Eclipse Space’s 5G physical layer for satellite constellations
UK From Space-Telecom
AccelerComm underpins Eclipse Space’s 5G physical layer for satellite constellations
Flight-proven 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) tech from Southampton based AccelerComm, is supporting a scalable direct-to-device and broadband architecture from Starlink veterans behind Eclipse Space.
Member News Space

31 Jul 2026

Manufacturers warn Government over UK steel import tariffs
UK steel manufacturing
Manufacturers warn Government over UK steel import tariffs
As a petition highlighting the negative impact of Government-imposed steel import tariffs on UK manufacturing surpasses 10,000 signatures, industry calls for an urgent review.
UK AISI test exposes AI agent’s attempt to plant malicious code
Lockheed martin cybersecurity
UK AISI test exposes AI agent’s attempt to plant malicious code
The UK’s AI Security Institute uncovered unexpectedly autonomous and deceptive behaviour during a cyber evaluation, including an attempted attack on open-source software.
Most Read Security

5 Aug 2026

CAA explores future for BVLOS drone ops
Amazon PrimeAir MK30 drone
CAA explores future for BVLOS drone ops
A new report from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) outlines a vision for enabling routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) commercial drone operations alongside existing UK airspace users.
Aerospace Security

3 Aug 2026