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

GKN Aerospace achieves world-first accreditation for aerospace additive manufacturing
Nadcap accreditation for L-DED-w
GKN Aerospace achieves world-first accreditation for aerospace additive manufacturing
Independent Nadcap accreditation for GKN Aerospace's laser-based additive manufacturing process supports the wider use of advanced 3D-printed components in aerospace and defence production.
Captec appoints Stephen Fasham as Group CEO
Max Toti and Stephen Fasham.
Captec appoints Stephen Fasham as Group CEO
The appointment of Stephen Fasham as Group CEO follows Captec’s recent acquisition of a majority stake in German industrial PC and automation technology specialist Spectra.
Eaton upgrades HSIM fuel transfer pump to support A380 operators
Emirates A380 at LGW
Eaton upgrades HSIM fuel transfer pump to support A380 operators
Through the development of its High Slip Induction Motor (HSIM) fuel transfer pump Eaton is helping provide long-term support for operators of the Airbus A380.
Aerospace Member News

29 Oct 2026

GKN Aerospace achieves world-first accreditation for aerospace additive manufacturing
Nadcap accreditation for L-DED-w
GKN Aerospace achieves world-first accreditation for aerospace additive manufacturing
Independent Nadcap accreditation for GKN Aerospace's laser-based additive manufacturing process supports the wider use of advanced 3D-printed components in aerospace and defence production.
Plextek receives King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation
King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation from His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester.
Plextek receives King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation
HRH The Duke of Gloucester has presented Plextek with the King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its PLX-T60 sensing platform.
Bombardier and BAE Systems sign agreement as Canada explores future GCAP role
6th generation fighter Tempest being developed under the global combat air programme (GCAP)
Bombardier and BAE Systems sign agreement as Canada explores future GCAP role
The agreement comes months after Canada joined the Global Combat Air Programme as an observer and explores opportunities across aerospace and defence capabilities.
Defence

30 Oct 2026

Plextek receives King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation
King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation from His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester.
Plextek receives King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation
HRH The Duke of Gloucester has presented Plextek with the King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its PLX-T60 sensing platform.
UK sets out plans for quantum technology in space, with secure satellites and navigation as priorities
Quantum Growth Alliance
UK sets out plans for quantum technology in space, with secure satellites and navigation as priorities
The UK Space Agency has released a roadmap to deploy quantum sensors, secure communications, and GPS-independent navigation aboard satellites by 2035.
Security Space

30 Oct 2026

SaxaVord finalises £60m funding for rocket launches
SaxaVord Spaceport Unst, Shetland.
SaxaVord finalises £60m funding for rocket launches
With UK Government backing of existing private funding from Wild Ventures, SaxaVord Spaceport is now primed to deliver domestic launch capability at Lamba Ness in Unst, Shetland.
Member News Space

30 Oct 2026

Plextek receives King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation
King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation from His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester.
Plextek receives King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation
HRH The Duke of Gloucester has presented Plextek with the King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its PLX-T60 sensing platform.
UK sets out plans for quantum technology in space, with secure satellites and navigation as priorities
Quantum Growth Alliance
UK sets out plans for quantum technology in space, with secure satellites and navigation as priorities
The UK Space Agency has released a roadmap to deploy quantum sensors, secure communications, and GPS-independent navigation aboard satellites by 2035.
Security Space

30 Oct 2026

Getac targets defence edge AI demand with new B360X rugged notebooks
Getac B360X Pro for military use.
Getac targets defence edge AI demand with new B360X rugged notebooks
From disaster zones and military exercises to remote industrial sites, Getac’s latest rugged notebooks put powerful AI computing directly into users’ hands, even when the cloud is out of reach.