Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • ADS sees signs of a stabilising aircraft market

Aerospace

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.

Advertisement
ODU RT

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.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

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.”

Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner
Wales to be UK launchpad for advanced autonomous tech

Aerospace Defence Security

Wales to be UK launchpad for advanced autonomous tech

20 February 2026

Thousands of skilled workers in Wales will be involved in the design, testing and manufacture of advanced autonomous technologies and unmanned systems, as a landmark £50 million Defence Growth Deal positions the nation at the forefront of Britain’s defence future.

NPAS increases aircraft available for deployment

Aerospace Security

NPAS increases aircraft available for deployment

19 February 2026

In January this year, the National Police Air Service (NPAS) was able to increase the number of aircraft that were available for operational deployment.

Alloyed secures ATI Programme funding to develop ABD-1000AM

Aerospace

Alloyed secures ATI Programme funding to develop ABD-1000AM

19 February 2026

Developer and manufacturer of advanced metallic components, Alloyed Ltd, has secured funding from the ATI Programme for an ambitious £1 million project to accelerate the development of ABD-1000AM, a next-generation nickel-based superalloy designed for additive manufacturing.

Birmingham Airport publishes new sustainability strategy

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport publishes new sustainability strategy

19 February 2026

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has published its new sustainability strategy for 2026 to 2030, outlining the next strategic steps on its journey to becoming a more sustainable and socially responsible business.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
UK hydrogen airport trial sets out roadmap for further studies

Aerospace

UK hydrogen airport trial sets out roadmap for further studies

18 February 2026

A new report into the UK’s first airside trial of multiple hydrogen-powered ground support equipment (GSE) has confirmed that hydrogen can be safely and effectively integrated into airport ground operations, whilst setting out a series of essential next steps needed to accelerate hydrogen adoption and decarbonisation across the aviation sector.

Kent collaborates on Pre-FEED study for Eq.flight SAF demo plant

Aerospace

Kent collaborates on Pre-FEED study for Eq.flight SAF demo plant

18 February 2026

Integrated energy services partner, Kent, has collaborated with Equilibrion during a successful bid for funding from the UK Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF) and with that funding for Equilibrion and its partners, Kent is delivering the Pre-Front-End Engineering Design (Pre-FEED) for Eq.flight, an advanced power-to-liquids ...

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Advertisement
Babcock LB Babcock LB