Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Orders for aircraft remain low despite highest deliveries of 2020

Aerospace

Orders for aircraft remain low despite highest deliveries of 2020

The ongoing crisis causeed by the COVID-19 pandemic saw October 2020 log the lowest number of global commercial aircraft orders for the month on record with just 11 placed, with all orders made for single-aisle aircraft.

Global commercial aircraft deliveries recovered to 85, the best month for deliveries in 2020. However, this remains lower than the 97 deliveries made in October 2019 and significantly down on the more than 130 delivered in the same month in the previous two years. Despite the moderate recovery in delivery numbers, this is the lowest October delivery figure since 2012.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The total backlog of aircraft orders now stands at 13,355 aircraft, following deliveries and 15 cancellations in the month of October. Despite the fall in the backlog from more than 14,000 aircraft a year ago, it is still worth up to £200 billion to the UK if all the orders on the books convert into deliveries.

ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt (above) said: “The aerospace and aviation industries continue to face challenging circumstances and an uncertain path to recovery. This is reflected in the latest production data with manufacturers seeing record lows of orders and deliveries.

“The recent confirmation of a new UK Test to Release system to cut quarantine for international travellers is a welcome first step to recovery. It must be swiftly followed by internationally agreed measures to provide more resilient travel corridors to build consumer confidence.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

“The industry faces a long haul to full recovery and supply chain companies will need additional support to survive until demand fully returns.”

 

Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner
HRH The Princess Royal tours MTL Advanced in Rotherham

Aerospace Defence Events

HRH The Princess Royal tours MTL Advanced in Rotherham

10 March 2026

HRH The Princess Royal visited Rotherham based MTL Advanced (part of WEC Group) on Friday 20th February to meet apprentices, engineers and senior leadership, gaining an insight into the company’s continued investment in skills development, innovation and regional growth and learning about its new Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC).

BGS extends fuelling partnership with Ryanair

Aerospace

BGS extends fuelling partnership with Ryanair

10 March 2026

Under renewed agreements, Baltic Ground Services (BGS) has extended its cooperation with Ryanair, to continue providing aircraft fuelling services for the airline at several airports across Northern and Central Europe.

IFS completes acquisition of Softeon

Aerospace Defence Security Space

IFS completes acquisition of Softeon

10 March 2026

IFS today announced the completion of its acquisition of Softeon, providing enterprises across manufacturing, logistics and retail, with access to a new category of supply chain technology.

Acron Aviation extends B737NG training with Arik Air to 2029

Aerospace

Acron Aviation extends B737NG training with Arik Air to 2029

10 March 2026

Acron Aviation has secured a multiyear contract extension with Arik Air, reinforcing a long-standing partnership and confirming Acron Aviation as Arik Air’s exclusive provider of B737NG Full Flight Simulator (FFS) training.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
NPAS shares innovation insights at CAA Future of Flight Day

Aerospace Security Events

NPAS shares innovation insights at CAA Future of Flight Day

9 March 2026

At the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Future of Flight Day, David Walters, Head of Futures and Innovation, National Police Air Service (NPAS), shared the latest progress in NPAS’s Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) development programme and showcased a recent multiagency search and rescue demonstration.

Aurrigo to build 25 AGVs for Ultra Global

Aerospace

Aurrigo to build 25 AGVs for Ultra Global

9 March 2026

Aurrigo International plc has signed the largest vehicle manufacturing order in its history to manufacture an initial 25-strong fleet of autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) for a leading rapid transit system specialist.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Advertisement
Security & Policing 2026