Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • ADS sees healthy UK aerospace sector in first half of 2024

Aerospace

ADS sees healthy UK aerospace sector in first half of 2024

The latest figures from ADS, trade association for the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors, has found commercial aircraft orders fell 71% in the first half of 2024 compared with the first half of 2023, while deliveries fell by 14% in the same period.

Image copyright Shutterstock

Other than 2023, aircraft orders in the first half of 2024 remain at their highest level since 2018.

The latest order figures were released ahead of the start of the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) today, the aerospace sector’s flagship event which looks set to feature several key order announcements.   

Advertisement
Amentum permanent rectangle

The 14% fall in delivery rates is a reflection of supply-chain, regulatory and capacity challenges facing the sector.

Aircraft order backlog worth £247 billion to UK economy over 10 years, as sector delivers nearly £11 billion in value add

The 15,668 global aircraft order backlog is worth up to £247 billion for the UK economy and is 8.3% higher than the same point in 2023, reflecting general sector confidence.

ADS’ Aerospace Sector Outlook showcases the £10.9 billion of economic contribution of UK aerospace in 2023, a figure that has increased 16% since 2013.

Advertisement
Amentum permanent rectangle

Productivity within the aerospace sector has risen 25% since 2013, with the sector’s c104,000 jobs providing an average of £104,800 output per worker. Eighty-eight per cent of those jobs are located outside of London and the South East and the median average salary of aerospace sector jobs is 39% higher than UK average at £48,700.

Aimie Stone, Chief Economist at ADS said: “Despite notable challenges, the UK aerospace sector is thriving only a few short years since a pandemic that grounded almost all areas of the civil aerospace sector.

“Twenty-twenty three was a record-breaking year for aircraft orders and deliveries and the first half of 2024 has only fallen slightly behind 2023 delivery rates. The data for the sector in the last decade shows long-term resilience within the UK aerospace industry, as well as increasing productivity levels in this dynamic, innovative sector.

“Intelligent support from Government to tackle issues in the supply chain, cash flow and capacity constraints has the potential to turbo-charge more long-term growth in this sector, providing significant benefits to the economy for the future.

Advertisement
Babcock LB
Birmingham Airport completes sustainable fuel trial

Aerospace Security

Birmingham Airport completes sustainable fuel trial

15 October 2025

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has completed a successful sustainable fuel trial in a significant milestone towards the airport’s ambition of becoming net zero by 2033.

Exolum invests in UK’s first independent SAF blending facility

Aerospace

Exolum invests in UK’s first independent SAF blending facility

15 October 2025

Energy logistics company, Exolum, today announced its decision to invest £4.5 million in creating the UK’s first independent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blending facility at Redcliffe Bay in south-west England, as part of new plans for a UK-wide network of SAF blending hubs.

UAF deploys Windracers ULTRA

Aerospace Security

UAF deploys Windracers ULTRA

15 October 2025

British drone engineering and manufacturing company, Windracers, today announced that the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) has commenced flights in Alaska using Windracers ULTRA, dual-use heavy-lift drone, to pioneer the delivery of essential supplies to remote communities and advance remote delivery research.

Supply chain challenges could cost airlines over $11bn in 2025

Aerospace

Supply chain challenges could cost airlines over $11bn in 2025

14 October 2025

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) in collaboration with Oliver Wyman, has launched a joint study, Reviving the Commercial Aircraft Supply Chain.

Advertisement
ODU RT
AMETEK MRO signs global component repair agreement with AJW Group

Aerospace

AMETEK MRO signs global component repair agreement with AJW Group

14 October 2025

AMETEK MRO has signed a global agreement with AJW Group to provide specialist component repair support across facilities in Europe, the United States and Asia.

IBA reveals airlines

Aerospace

IBA reveals airlines' European SAF use

14 October 2025

IBA has reported that International Airlines Group (IAG) has achieved the highest sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use in Europe.

Advertisement
ODU RT