Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace

Aircraft manufacturer productivity peaks

The number of commercial aircraft delivered in August 2024 was higher than in any August since 2018 according to ADS, despite lagging orders.

Image copyright Shutterstock
 
ADS figures highlight the fourth consecutive August of improved aircraft deliveries, with 90 aircraft delivered. Despite a 3% growth in August aircraft deliveries, challenges in the supply chain mean that 2024 delivery rates are lagging 9% behind 2023 figures.  

Aircraft orders placed in 2024 to date are two thirds behind 2023 figures. ADS figures highlight that the 68 aircraft ordered in August 2024 is 58% lower than the same month in 2023. Year-to-date, 682 aircraft have been ordered, 65% less than at the same point in 2023.  

Advertisement
ODU RT

The number of aircraft currently on backlog order is 8% higher than it was 12 months ago at 15,651. ADS estimates that production of these aircraft is worth £244 billion to the UK and represents over a decade’s worth of work.

Aimie Stone, Chief Economist at ADS Group commented: “The aerospace sector’s continuing rate ramp up is reflected in this month’s increased aircraft deliveries. Despite this success, the industrial capacity of the sector continues to be limited by challenges in the supply chain and regulatory uncertainty.

Advertisement
ODU RT

“We now need to see the UK Government deliver on its promise for a comprehensive industrial strategy, formed in partnership with a range of stakeholders that includes industry, to ensure the aerospace sector’s full potential can be realised.”

ADS recently released its 2024 Aerospace Sector Outlook, showcasing the sector’s value add of £10.9 billion to the UK economy, an increase of 16% compared to 2013 figures. The figures highlight 104,000 direct jobs in the aerospace sector, with a median salary of £48.7k – 39% higher than UK average, with the vast majority (88 percent) located outside of London and the Southeast.

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
K3Metrology secures UKI2S advanced manufacturing support

Aerospace

K3Metrology secures UKI2S advanced manufacturing support

13 May 2026

K3Metrology, a UK spin-out from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), has secured a £2.75 million seed investment led by the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), to commercialise a new generation of large-scale measurement technology designed to improve efficiency and reduce delays in advanced manufacturing and aerospace.

European air passenger traffic expands +3.8% in March

Aerospace

European air passenger traffic expands +3.8% in March

13 May 2026

European airport trade body ACI EUROPE today released its traffic report for March and the first quarter of 2026.

SMD selects D-RisQ to advance autonomous systems

Aerospace Defence Security

SMD selects D-RisQ to advance autonomous systems

13 May 2026

Malvern based D-RisQ Ltd has been selected by SMD to accelerate development of their autonomy programme.

Stansted Airport

Aerospace

Stansted Airport's passenger numbers boosted by Easter getaway

12 May 2026

A bumper Easter getaway helped London Stansted record its busiest ever April as the airport welcomed more than 2.6m passengers during the month.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Chapman Freeborn launches Next Flight Out

Aerospace

Chapman Freeborn launches Next Flight Out

12 May 2026

Expanding its time-critical logistics portfolio, Chapman Freeborn OBC is launching Next Flight Out (NFO), a new premium service designed to complement its established on-board courier expertise and provide clients with greater flexibility for urgent international shipments.

Red Hat to enhance EUROCONTROL air traffic management system

Aerospace

Red Hat to enhance EUROCONTROL air traffic management system

11 May 2026

Red Hat today announced it is helping EUROCONTROL deliver a unified digital platform to enhance organisational resilience and accelerate innovation in air traffic management, replacing 25-year-old legacy systems using Red Hat OpenShift.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Hexagon leaderboard