Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace Defence

UK connector orders remain steady

In its Q2 report for 2024, Interconnect Technologies Suppliers Association (ITSA) members have seen orders holding steady but with a high degree of variation in key markets and some sectors actually experiencing significant gains.

Image courtesy ITSA

Billings were down 3% over Q1, confirming a flat year so far.

Some market sectors showing significant growth - Communications +44%, Mass Transport +29% and Test & Measurement +29%

The Military/Aero market - which is significant to ITSA members - took a hit and was down 18%. This was reported as due to programme slippage and political uncertainty.   

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

Value-added income performed well in Q2 for some product segments, with an increase of 39% in Fibre-Optics, RF up 48% and a 59% increase in Hybrid products.

Although ITSA continues to project only low minimal growth over the full-year, this view may clarify in the second-half, now that we have a new Labour government.

Advertisement
ODU RT

According to the latest Make UK Manufacturing Outlook Survey, 69% of companies regard the delivery of an industrial strategy as the top priority.

Download a full copy of the ITSA Report here: https://itsa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ITSA-Report-Q2-2024.pdf

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Aircraft orders in February hit three-year high

Aerospace

Aircraft orders in February hit three-year high

24 March 2026

Commercial aircraft orders grew by 83% in February 2026 compared to February 2025 figures, marking the strongest February orderbook since 2023 according to trade association ADS.

British Airways

Aerospace Space

British Airways' first Starlink flight takes off

23 March 2026

British Airways’ first aircraft equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi took off to Houston last Thursday, the first flight operated by a UK airline featuring the innovative technology.

Global Innovation Centre opened by ePropelled in Coventry

Aerospace Defence Security

Global Innovation Centre opened by ePropelled in Coventry

23 March 2026

Provider of smart propulsion solutions and energy management systems for uncrewed vehicles, ePropelled, has opened its new Global Innovation Centre in Coventry, expanding the UK’s sovereign capability in electric and hybrid propulsion as the company scales toward producing more than one million propulsion systems annually by 2027.

GE Aerospace to expand UK and European production capacity

Aerospace

GE Aerospace to expand UK and European production capacity

19 March 2026

GE Aerospace plans to invest more than €110 million across its European manufacturing sites this year as it looks to expand production capacity, accelerate advanced manufacturing and strengthen delivery, including significant investment in the upgrade of multiple sites across the UK.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Boeing hosts UK supplier trade mission

Aerospace

Boeing hosts UK supplier trade mission

19 March 2026

Boeing has hosted its fifth UK supplier trade mission in Seattle, welcoming a new cohort of UK suppliers over two days for briefings, factory tours and targeted business meetings aimed at boosting opportunities for future collaboration.

Air Charter Scotland to continue Wick-Aberdeen-Wick PSO route to August

Aerospace

Air Charter Scotland to continue Wick-Aberdeen-Wick PSO route to August

19 March 2026

Air Charter Scotland have been successful in their bid to continue operating the Wick-Aberdeen-Wick Public Service Obligation (PSO) route, through to 14th August, 2026.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner