Aircraft demand resilient in 2024

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Following a peak in aircraft orders in 2023, the latest data from ADS shows a decline of almost two thirds (62%) in global aircraft orders in 2023, to reach 1,447.

Against a challenging year for production, the backlog of aircraft on order has reached its highest year end level to date, at 15,818, which highlights the continued resilience of the sector.

Annual aircraft deliveries fell 11% compared to 2024 as a combination of issues impacted the global production schedule, including regulatory concerns and disruption within the workforce.

The 1,128 deliveries in 2024 were comprised of 956 single-aisle aircraft, a decline of 8% compared to the 1,037 delivered in 2023 and 172 wide-body aircraft, 25% less than the 2023 delivery figure of 228. This was 3% behind the ADS forecast, which was revised down in Q3 2024.

Regardless of a 62% dip in aircraft orders year on year, at 1,447 orders placed in 2024, demand remains resilient across the industry with a strong order backlog worth approximately £257 billion to the UK and representing 13 years worth of work, according to ADS.

Cancellations throughout 2024 at 244 were lower than the 352 cancelled aircraft orders in 2023.

Aimie Stone, Chief Economist at ADS said: “Twenty twenty-four was a turbulent year for the aerospace industry with ongoing supply chain challenges throughout the year forcing manufacturers to fall short of the ADS delivery forecast.

“Confidence in industry to order new aircraft has started to waver over the past couple of months but the significant discrepancy in the annual figure is in part related to the extraordinary large December 2023 monthly orders of 1,193. While industry may be disheartened to see this annual decline, the existing sizeable backlog remains stable.”

Balaji Srimoolanathan, Director for Aerospace, Space and the Aerospace Growth Partnership at ADS, said: “Coming from a record breaking 2023 and peak in appetite for aircraft, 2024 was a slightly rockier return to manufacturing than anticipated.

"Our aerospace sector has always been at the cutting edge of innovation, setting ourselves ambitious targets and a rigorous adherence to the highest quality in what we do. While the global climate is increasingly unstable and supply chain challenges remain, major manufacturers have ramped up production to deliver 97% of their forecasted capability.

“Throughout the next year, it is critical that international governments recognise the immense social value, jobs and value that our aerospace manufacturers unlock through the co-creation of a stable regulatory, policy and investment environment.”

ADS is the UK trade association for the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors, with more than 1,400 member businesses.