General Atomics

Aircraft orders up 73% in first quarter of 2025

A total of 521 aircraft orders were placed in the first quarter – representing a 73% increase compared to Q1 2024 – as demand rises for both single-aisle and wide-body aircraft, according to ADS.



Image copyright Shutterstock

The trade association highlighted that aircraft deliveries were also up 20% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

The figures – which run until 31st March, two days before the US Administration’s announcement of tariff increases on US imports – show further that the industry’s backlog of aircraft orders has reached a new record high, standing at 15,954 aircraft at the end of March – 1% higher than Q1 2024.

This backlog is estimated to be worth up to £254 billion to the UK economy at current production rates, underscoring the long-term value of the aerospace sector and its extensive UK supply chain.

ADS Outlook
The recent tariffs introduced by the US Administration on 2nd April are still being evaluated by industry leaders, with  disruption to trade and supply chains likely to affect aircraft deliveries in the coming months.

Broader international reactions to the evolving US trade policy may add further uncertainty, particularly for long-haul programmes and cross-border component flows. That is why ADS is calling on the UK Government to seek exemptions for civil aircraft, engine parts and components as part of our trade negotiations to ensure the free movement of aerospace goods in line with the longstanding WTO Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft.

Despite these challenges,  increased momentum at the start of 2025 shows that with the right conditions, industry can deliver strong performance metrics and support UK competitiveness in the global aerospace market.

Related

UKEF and GE Aerospace introduce finance solution for regional UK shop visits
GE Aerospace CFM LEAP engine in an MRO shop
UKEF and GE Aerospace introduce finance solution for regional UK shop visits
In partnership with GE Aerospace, UK Export Finance (UKEF) is providing up to $1 billion (£742m) in financing over the next five years in a first-of-its-kind programme that will underpin a banking solution for engine overhauls and support airlines' UK flight operations.
Aerospace Member News

17 Jul 2026

Rolls-Royce partners with Boeing and Lufthansa to test fuel-saving and noise-reduction technologies
Boeing eco Demonstrator Explorer Lufthansa 787-9
Rolls-Royce partners with Boeing and Lufthansa to test fuel-saving and noise-reduction technologies
Rolls-Royce, Boeing and Lufthansa are launching a flight-test campaign using a 787-9 to evaluate technologies that improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise.
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures has chosen London for its first office outside the United States, with at least $100 million earmarked for UK and European defence technology start-ups.
UK commits £255m to prepare Ukraine for Saab Gripen E fighters
Saab Gripen E for Ukraine
UK commits £255m to prepare Ukraine for Saab Gripen E fighters
The package will fund training, simulators, spare parts and logistics for Ukraine’s future Gripen E fleet while supporting around 5,000 jobs across the UK defence supply chain.
Defence Most Read

17 Jul 2026

Storm Fighter to lead new RAF collaborative combat aircraft family
BAE Systems Tempest with loyal wingman drones
Storm Fighter to lead new RAF collaborative combat aircraft family
Why the RAF is now racing do develop not only a high-end CCA called Storm Fighter, but also a complementary family of smaller autonomous aircraft to fly alongside crewed fighters.
Defence Most Read

17 Jul 2026

RAF awards Boeing £127m E-7 sustainment contract as first aircraft nears service
RAF E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft
RAF awards Boeing £127m E-7 sustainment contract as first aircraft nears service
The £127.5 million sustainment award will support around 180 jobs in Scotland as the first RAF Wedgetail completes final testing and a second aircraft begins flying.
Defence Insights Most Read

16 Jul 2026

UK space sector punches above its weight but struggles to scale
United kingdom from space by NASA
UK space sector punches above its weight but struggles to scale
Britain captures around 5% of the global space market despite accounting for approximately 1% of government space spending worldwide. However, the UK Space Agency’s final annual report warns that the country has yet to solve its persistent scale-up challenge.
Space

17 Jul 2026

Serco awarded ESA contract to support FLEX Earth observation mission
Earth observation satellite
Serco awarded ESA contract to support FLEX Earth observation mission
The European Space Agency (ESA) has contracted Serco to manage and deliver FLEX satellite data products to its users.
Member News Space

17 Jul 2026

ESA selects Keysight to develop 5G NTN anomaly detection
6G network
ESA selects Keysight to develop 5G NTN anomaly detection
Keysight will serve as the prime contractor, collaborating with Sateliot to support key technical development and satellite mission integration.
Member News Space

16 Jul 2026

Critical UK sectors targeted by Russian cyber actors
A hacker at a computer as government urges organisations to improve cyber security
Critical UK sectors targeted by Russian cyber actors
A new advisory has been issued by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and international partner agencies, urging the UK and its allies to defend against Russian state cyber actors’ global exploitation of poorly configured routers, as the UK sanctions Russian state and criminal networks for cyber and hybrid operations and calls out the FSB for a reckless attack on Poland’s energy grid.
Security

17 Jul 2026

UK defence SMEs unite under new Spearhead delivery collective
Spearhead SME member representatives
UK defence SMEs unite under new Spearhead delivery collective
Twenty-eight UK-owned defence and security SMEs have formed Spearhead, offering government and prime contractors access to specialist capability through one contract and one accountable delivery team.
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures has chosen London for its first office outside the United States, with at least $100 million earmarked for UK and European defence technology start-ups.