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

The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
ADS Advance magazine - the drone age- is out today
The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
Leading experts examine where UK drone capability is advancing, where gaps remain and what industry and government need to fix next.
Isembard opens London’s largest factory since WWII
Isembard's global HQ and factory in Southwark
Isembard opens London’s largest factory since WWII
By opening the capital's largest factory since the Second World War in Southwark, Isembard is establishing a global head office that will also serve as a working precision factory that will enhance sovereign capability and deliver solutions for aerospace, defence and robotics customers, worldwide.
Aerospace Defence Security

14 Sep 2026

Marshall Aerospace sale agreed: Why the Aurelius deal matters for UK defence
MRO at Marshall Aerospace
Marshall Aerospace sale agreed: Why the Aurelius deal matters for UK defence
The German investment group is acquiring a strategically important British military aviation business with decades of C-130 expertise.
Aerospace Defence

14 Sep 2026

The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
ADS Advance magazine - the drone age- is out today
The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
Leading experts examine where UK drone capability is advancing, where gaps remain and what industry and government need to fix next.
Isembard opens London’s largest factory since WWII
Isembard's global HQ and factory in Southwark
Isembard opens London’s largest factory since WWII
By opening the capital's largest factory since the Second World War in Southwark, Isembard is establishing a global head office that will also serve as a working precision factory that will enhance sovereign capability and deliver solutions for aerospace, defence and robotics customers, worldwide.
Aerospace Defence Security

14 Sep 2026

RAF Airbus A400M takes off from grass runway in Poland amid Russian drone threat
RAF BRize Norton with Airbus A400M landing
RAF Airbus A400M takes off from grass runway in Poland amid Russian drone threat
The Royal Air Force has practised operating an Airbus A400M from a grass runway in Poland as NATO strengthens dispersed operations on its eastern flank.
Defence

14 Sep 2026

The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
ADS Advance magazine - the drone age- is out today
The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
Leading experts examine where UK drone capability is advancing, where gaps remain and what industry and government need to fix next.
Skyrora completes hot-fire testing of advanced LEO engine
Skyrora engine test
Skyrora completes hot-fire testing of advanced LEO engine
Skyrora has conducted hot fire testing of its LEO engine at its Midlothian facility in Loanhead, demonstrating the potential of stronger, lightweight parts for future propulsion systems.
Member News Space

11 Sep 2026

UK spends nearly £30m on SpaceX satellite services as military shifts to Starshield
Starlink already offers unparalleled end-to-end user data encryption. Starshield uses additional high-assurance cryptographic capability to host classified payloads and process data securely, meeting the most demanding government requirements.
UK spends nearly £30m on SpaceX satellite services as military shifts to Starshield
The UK military operates around 1,000 SpaceX Starshield terminals after spending nearly £30m on Starshield and Starlink satellite communications.
Defence Space

11 Sep 2026

The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
ADS Advance magazine - the drone age- is out today
The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
Leading experts examine where UK drone capability is advancing, where gaps remain and what industry and government need to fix next.
Isembard opens London’s largest factory since WWII
Isembard's global HQ and factory in Southwark
Isembard opens London’s largest factory since WWII
By opening the capital's largest factory since the Second World War in Southwark, Isembard is establishing a global head office that will also serve as a working precision factory that will enhance sovereign capability and deliver solutions for aerospace, defence and robotics customers, worldwide.
Aerospace Defence Security

14 Sep 2026

DEA Group appoints Lee Madden as Delivery Director
DEA Group aircraft
DEA Group appoints Lee Madden as Delivery Director
As it marks 10 years of supporting border surveillance, maritime security, fisheries protection and counter-smuggling operations, DEA Group has appointed Lee Madden as Delivery Director.