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

Beyond the hype: Where do air taxis really fit in urban transport?
Beyond the hype: Where do air taxis really fit in urban transport?
Coventry University's Dr Saafa Sindi addresses whether air taxi services are a near term reality or just science fiction.
Aerospace Insights

31 Jul 2026

Robotic parking launched at Gatwick
Robotic parking at Gatwick
Robotic parking launched at Gatwick
Gatwick is the first UK airport to offer robotic parking, with passengers able to use the service beginning this August.
Aerospace

31 Jul 2026

Rolls-Royce posts soaring half-year profit amid defence and data centre boom
Dassault Global 6500 with Rolls-Royce Pearl engine
Rolls-Royce posts soaring half-year profit amid defence and data centre boom
How Rolls-Royce's half-year 2026 financial performance builds on last year and underscores its proving prospects across its Civil Aerospace, Defence, and Power Systems divisions.
Aerospace Defence

31 Jul 2026

UK commits £8.4bn to launch next production phase of Dreadnought submarine programme
Royal Navy Dreadnought submarine
UK commits £8.4bn to launch next production phase of Dreadnought submarine programme
The UK has committed £8.4 billion to the next production phase of the Dreadnought-class submarine, its long-term nuclear deterrent.
Defence

31 Jul 2026

QinetiQ equips young people with cyber skills
CyberFirst Advanced at Lancaster University
QinetiQ equips young people with cyber skills
Hundreds of youngsters have been given the opportunity to equip themselves with real-world cyber skills.
Can you spot the sniper? UK MoD launches summer safety campaign for military training areas
MOD Spot the Sniper
Can you spot the sniper? UK MoD launches summer safety campaign for military training areas
The MOD's new Spot the Sniper campaign challenges the public to find concealed soldiers, raising awareness of dangers in military training areas.
Defence

31 Jul 2026

AccelerComm underpins Eclipse Space’s 5G physical layer for satellite constellations
UK From Space-Telecom
AccelerComm underpins Eclipse Space’s 5G physical layer for satellite constellations
Flight-proven 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) tech from Southampton based AccelerComm, is supporting a scalable direct-to-device and broadband architecture from Starlink veterans behind Eclipse Space.
Member News Space

31 Jul 2026

ALL.SPACE releases Hydra MAX wideband platform for multi-orbit ops
Hydra on Defender
ALL.SPACE releases Hydra MAX wideband platform for multi-orbit ops
ALL.SPACE has released Hydra MAX, designed to unlock next-generation wideband Ka networks with multi-orbit connectivity.
Defence Space

28 Jul 2026

Wiltshire schoolchildren take second place in international rocketry final
Abbeyfield School 2nd Place
Wiltshire schoolchildren take second place in international rocketry final
Schoolchildren from Chippenham achieved second place at the International Youth Rocketry Challenge during the Farnborough International Airshow.
Aerospace Defence Events Security ...

27 Jul 2026

QinetiQ equips young people with cyber skills
CyberFirst Advanced at Lancaster University
QinetiQ equips young people with cyber skills
Hundreds of youngsters have been given the opportunity to equip themselves with real-world cyber skills.
Why drones have become a mainstream security challenge for airports across the UK
Ministry of defence drone
Why drones have become a mainstream security challenge for airports across the UK
Latest Dedrone report reveals why drone incidents are a mainstream security challenge for airports across the UK
Aerospace Security

29 Jul 2026

UK and partners warn of zero-click phishing campaign targeting Western organisations
NCSC warns of Laundry Bear phishing
UK and partners warn of zero-click phishing campaign targeting Western organisations
The UK and partners have exposed a new ‘zero-click’ phishing campaign, warning that Russian state-supported actors are using it to target Western organisations.
Security

28 Jul 2026