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
Aston University secures £3.9m to boost aerospace and cybersecurity skills

Aerospace Security

Aston University secures £3.9m to boost aerospace and cybersecurity skills

10 June 2026

Aston University has secured almost £4 million in new funding to improve the UK’s aerospace engineering and cybersecurity skills.

Marshall Aerospace completes initial flight model for Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7

Aerospace

Marshall Aerospace completes initial flight model for Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7

10 June 2026

Marshall Aerospace has successfully completed a flight dynamics and control model to support Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7, a revolutionary dual-use hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft currently in prototype development.

NATS invests in carbon removals with CUR8

Aerospace

NATS invests in carbon removals with CUR8

9 June 2026

NATS has committed £500k to carbon removals through carbon removals intelligence provider CUR8, contributing to an initiative led by the UK Sustainable Aviation coalition, to stimulate the carbon removals market as part of a £2 million Advance Market Signal.

HutanBio partners with Wakud on scalable SAF feedstocks

Aerospace

HutanBio partners with Wakud on scalable SAF feedstocks

9 June 2026

Cambridge biotechnology company HutanBio, which is developing algae-derived oils for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), has signed its first commercial offtake Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oman's Wakud International, as the aviation industry searches for new feedstock sources capable of supporting future SAF demand.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Tekever and Sapient Perception to explore airborne ISR sensing integration

Aerospace Security Space

Tekever and Sapient Perception to explore airborne ISR sensing integration

9 June 2026

Tekever and Sapient Perception have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the integration and evaluation of Sapient Perception’s 10K camera system on Tekever uncrewed aerial systems.

Barrow school to launch technical education pathway

Aerospace Defence

Barrow school to launch technical education pathway

8 June 2026

Walney School in Barrow-in-Furness is going to be introducing an innovative employer-led technical education pathway in September, which aims to equip young people with the skills for high-quality careers and to help local employers tackle skills shortages.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB