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

HAV and Defentia enter strategic collaboration
Airlander
HAV and Defentia enter strategic collaboration
Bedford based Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), developer of lighter-than-air dual-use hybrid aircraft Airlander, is exploring new opportunities in Spain with Defentia, a systems integrator of civilian and military applications.
UK airports improve accessibility as assistance demand hits record high
CAA passengers at airport
UK airports improve accessibility as assistance demand hits record high
UK airports achieved their best-ever accessibility ratings as 5.9 million passengers requested assistance in 2025, the UK Civil Aviation Authority reports.
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

UK Defence Training Estate receives £4.4m investment for added realism
UK Defence Training Estate receives £4.4m investment for added realism
More than £4.4 million has been invested in new trench training infrastructure across the Defence Training Estate, enhancing the UK armed forces’ ability to train in realistic and contemporary battlefield environments.
Defence

4 Aug 2026

MoD selects CORVUS for British Army’s surveillance capability
MoD selects CORVUS for British Army’s surveillance capability
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has chosen TEKEVER's CORVUS to deliver the British Army's new surveillance capability.
Defence Member News

4 Aug 2026

Royal Marines host first UK special forces drills with South Korean commandos
42 Commando during Op Highmast
Royal Marines host first UK special forces drills with South Korean commandos
How the Royal Navy is carrying on from 2025's Op Highmast and training with their Korean counterparts in England.
Defence Most Read

4 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

ALL.SPACE releases Hydra MAX wideband platform for multi-orbit ops
Hydra on Defender
ALL.SPACE releases Hydra MAX wideband platform for multi-orbit ops
ALL.SPACE has released Hydra MAX, designed to unlock next-generation wideband Ka networks with multi-orbit connectivity.
Defence Space

28 Jul 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

UK SMEs given support to commercialise proven solutions
Connected Places Catapult
UK SMEs given support to commercialise proven solutions
A new programme of tailored support is set to help UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with proven transport and construction solutions, to commercialise at scale.
Aerospace Security

3 Aug 2026

QinetiQ equips young people with cyber skills
CyberFirst Advanced at Lancaster University
QinetiQ equips young people with cyber skills
Hundreds of youngsters have been given the opportunity to equip themselves with real-world cyber skills.