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

Eaton upgrades HSIM fuel transfer pump to support A380 operators
Emirates A380 at LGW
Eaton upgrades HSIM fuel transfer pump to support A380 operators
Through the development of its High Slip Induction Motor (HSIM) fuel transfer pump Eaton is helping provide long-term support for operators of the Airbus A380.
Aerospace Member News

29 Oct 2026

TEK4 set for expansion following AIM listing
TEK4 lists on AIM LSEG
TEK4 set for expansion following AIM listing
With its shares up 45% following its market debut on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, TEK4 is expanding its specialist engineering business, designing and manufacturing advanced drilling technology for aerospace and defence, with a second production facility.
UK Government backs Rolls-Royce narrowbody engine ambitions with £2.5bn programme
Rolls-Royce Ultrafan 30 narrowbody engine
UK Government backs Rolls-Royce narrowbody engine ambitions with £2.5bn programme
A proposed ten-year research programme could strengthen UK aerospace manufacturing, support thousands of skilled jobs and position domestic suppliers for the next generation of single-aisle aircraft.
Aerospace

29 Oct 2026

TEK4 set for expansion following AIM listing
TEK4 lists on AIM LSEG
TEK4 set for expansion following AIM listing
With its shares up 45% following its market debut on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, TEK4 is expanding its specialist engineering business, designing and manufacturing advanced drilling technology for aerospace and defence, with a second production facility.
BAE Systems completes first live-fire test of Adaptable Deck Launcher
ADL First Firing
BAE Systems completes first live-fire test of Adaptable Deck Launcher
With the first live-firing of its Adaptable Deck Launcher, BAE Systems has demonstrated a scalable missile launch solution that doubles critical combat capabilities for US Navy and allied fleets, enhancing survivability and firepower through rapid, deck-mounted deployment.
Defence Member News

29 Oct 2026

Chess Dynamics secures £3m contract with PT Len
Chess Dynamics Sea Eagle on ship
Chess Dynamics secures £3m contract with PT Len
Under a follow-on order contract with Indonesia's PT Len, Chess Dynamics will supply its SeaEagle Fire Control Electro-Optical (FCEO) systems for two Indonesian Navy Bung Tomo-class multi-role light frigates (MRLF), as part of a planned three-ship modernisation programme.
Defence Member News

29 Oct 2026

UK awards Astroscale £15m contract to develop orbital defence capabilities
Astroscale Awarded £15 million MOD Contract as UK Government Strengthens Focus on Resilience in Space
UK awards Astroscale £15m contract to develop orbital defence capabilities
The contract follows the publication of the UK’s new Space Strategy, which identifies defence and national security as priorities and calls for greater protection of the country's space infrastructure.
Defence Space

29 Oct 2026

Airbus awarded contract for additional Galileo satellites
Airbus G2 satellites
Airbus awarded contract for additional Galileo satellites
The additional Galileo satellites will benefit from existing Airbus manufacturing capabilities and feature advanced anti-jamming and anti-spoofing to safeguard Galileo’s signals, extending Europe's independent satellite navigation services for European security and defence.
UK space start-up completes cancer drug experiment aboard ISS after £9.8m funding boost
UK start-up space mission aims to transform cancer therapies
UK space start-up completes cancer drug experiment aboard ISS after £9.8m funding boost
UK start-up BioOrbit has completed a six-week ISS experiment to produce protein crystals that could make some cancer treatments suitable for home injections.
Space Test

28 Oct 2026

Getac targets defence edge AI demand with new B360X rugged notebooks
Getac B360X Pro for military use.
Getac targets defence edge AI demand with new B360X rugged notebooks
From disaster zones and military exercises to remote industrial sites, Getac’s latest rugged notebooks put powerful AI computing directly into users’ hands, even when the cloud is out of reach.
UK, Poland agree to expand military production and boost NATO readiness
Image: Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND)
UK, Poland agree to expand military production and boost NATO readiness
The UK and Poland have agreed closer cooperation on missiles, drones and ammunition production under a new defence plan aimed at strengthening NATO's eastern flank.
Defence Security

29 Oct 2026

UK Budget 2026: British AI security boosted by new data centre plans and £700m package
Artificial Intelligence AI Processor Chip on Futuristic Circuit Board with Digital Data Network
UK Budget 2026: British AI security boosted by new data centre plans and £700m package
The UK government’s 2026 Budget combines priority electrical grid access for critical data centres with £700m in AI investment to strengthen cyber security and sovereignty.
Security

28 Oct 2026