General Atomics

Aircraft orders and deliveries rebound

Commercial aircraft orders grew 168% in January 2025 compared to January 2024, significantly exceeding the five-year average of 67, according to ADS.


 
Image 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 71 delivered in January 2025 marking the highest January delivery rate since 2019.  
 
The strong January order rebound signals a return of confidence among airline decision-makers, echoing trends seen in 2022 and 2023. Standing at 15,834 aircraft, the backlog represents up to £258 billion in value for the UK and more than a decade’s worth of work.
 
ADS data also highlights a 22% growth in aircraft deliveries in January 2025 compared to January 2024. Notably, over 90% of January deliveries were single-aisle aircraft, reflecting the ongoing demand for short-haul travel in the market.
 
Aimie Stone, Chief Economist at ADS said: “The figures from January provide an encouraging outlook for 2025. While it’s important we remain cautious, increased delivery rates highlight the industry’s ongoing focus towards ramping up production.
 
“Following a year of challenges – from supply chain issues, labour shortages and a complex regulatory environment – 2025 shows signs of a much-awaited rebound for the sector.”
 
“For continued growth, global policy coordination, along with support from both the business community and governments, will remain crucial.”

Related

RAF roundels explained: Why Royal Air Force aircraft use different markings
RAF Red Arrows and Typhoon open Farnborough International Airshow 2022
RAF roundels explained: Why Royal Air Force aircraft use different markings
RAF roundels have identified British military aircraft for more than a century. Here's why Royal Air Force aircraft carry different markings, from Spitfires to today's stealthy F-35 fleet.
Aerospace Defence

3 Oct 2026

UK Government opens scheme to slash manufacturers’ electricity bills
Jonathan Reynolds
UK Government opens scheme to slash manufacturers’ electricity bills
Applications for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) are now open to over 10,000 manufacturing businesses.
Aerospace Defence

2 Oct 2026

UK Government proposes airline fee reforms and tougher measures on disruptive passengers
Aircraft landing at Heathrow Airport
UK Government proposes airline fee reforms and tougher measures on disruptive passengers
New aviation proposals would end charges for seating young children with accompanying adults, restrict fees for simple booking errors and strengthen airline cooperation on repeat disruptive passengers.
Aerospace

2 Oct 2026

RAF roundels explained: Why Royal Air Force aircraft use different markings
RAF Red Arrows and Typhoon open Farnborough International Airshow 2022
RAF roundels explained: Why Royal Air Force aircraft use different markings
RAF roundels have identified British military aircraft for more than a century. Here's why Royal Air Force aircraft carry different markings, from Spitfires to today's stealthy F-35 fleet.
Aerospace Defence

3 Oct 2026

Royal Navy tests autonomous systems against threats to critical underwater infrastructure
Exercise Repmus 2026 in Portugal
Royal Navy tests autonomous systems against threats to critical underwater infrastructure
The Royal Navy used NATO's REPMUS exercise in Portugal to evaluate autonomous vessels, underwater gliders and other emerging capabilities designed to detect underwater threats and protect critical infrastructure.
Defence

2 Oct 2026

UK targets 30% rise in RAF A400M availability under £190m Airbus deal
Pictured here is an Royal Air Force A400M Atlas flying thought the machloop in Wales on the 21st November 2024.
UK targets 30% rise in RAF A400M availability under £190m Airbus deal
A £190m Airbus support deal will target a 30% increase in RAF A400M availability while sustaining more than 350 UK jobs through April 2029.
Defence

2 Oct 2026

SatVu’s HotSat-3 launches on SpaceX mission to double thermal satellite capacity
SAtVu HotSat
SatVu’s HotSat-3 launches on SpaceX mission to double thermal satellite capacity
SatVu has launched HotSat-3 aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission, adding capacity for high-resolution thermal intelligence from space.
Member News Space

2 Oct 2026

Orbex’s UK manufacturing assets and IP acquired by Omnidea
Omnidea engineering testing platform
Orbex’s UK manufacturing assets and IP acquired by Omnidea
Portugal's Omnidea has purchased the manufacturing assets and intellectual property (IP) of British rocket manufacturer Orbex UK, which ceased operations in February this year and went into administration.
Member News Space

2 Oct 2026

Filtronic wins SpaceX contract to support Starlink network
ground station
Filtronic wins SpaceX contract to support Starlink network
Sedgefield headquartered Filtronic has won a $68.1 million (£51.52m) order from SpaceX to support its Starlink network, highlighting the growing global demand for UK-developed space technology.
Member News Space

1 Oct 2026

Cohort appoints Richard Mills as Group Strategy Director
Richard Mills
Cohort appoints Richard Mills as Group Strategy Director
Former Boeing executive Richard Mills will lead the growth strategy of Cohort and its seven subsidiaries which specialise in defence and security technology across the UK, Germany, Portugal and Australia.
BAE Systems proves complete counter-drone kill chain in Scotland trials
Container and Sensor
BAE Systems proves complete counter-drone kill chain in Scotland trials
BAE Systems has demonstrated its complete BATS counter-drone chain in Scotland, integrating sensors, electronic warfare and a gun system.
Security

1 Oct 2026

Doncaster Sheffield Airport takes another step towards reopening with new firefighting fleet
Doncaster Sheffield Airport fire appliance
Doncaster Sheffield Airport takes another step towards reopening with new firefighting fleet
Doncaster Sheffield Airport has ordered three specialist aviation firefighting vehicles as preparations continue for its planned reopening.