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
ODU RT

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
PTC 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
Gulfstream banner
Anti-drone tech patents surge

Aerospace Defence Security

Anti-drone tech patents surge

19 March 2026

The number of patent applications for anti-drone (counter-UAV) technologies filed globally increased by 27% to 126 last year*, up from 99 the year before, according to new research from intellectual property (IP) law firm Mathys & Squire.

Marshall Aerospace secures five SAIL Mark projects

Aerospace Defence Security

Marshall Aerospace secures five SAIL Mark projects

18 March 2026

Marshall Aerospace is advancing it expertise in the UK’s fast-growing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) sector after securing five separate SAIL Mark assessment projects funded by Innovate UK and the Department for Transport.

Jet Zero Taskforce’s first annual report launched at SSWS

Aerospace Events

Jet Zero Taskforce’s first annual report launched at SSWS

18 March 2026

The UK Government and aviation industry yesterday set out significant progress towards decarbonising air travel, as Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Keir Mather MP launched the Jet Zero Taskforce’s first annual report at the Sustainable Skies World Summit (SSWS).

SalamAir enters eSIM and e-Visa partnership with Arcube

Aerospace

SalamAir enters eSIM and e-Visa partnership with Arcube

18 March 2026

Oman’s low-cost carrier, SalamAir, has announced a strategic collaboration with UK-based travel technology company Arcube, to launch eSIM and e-Visa services.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Met Office launches MAVIS

Aerospace Security Space

Met Office launches MAVIS

18 March 2026

The Met Office have officially launched the Met Office Aeronautical Visualisation Service (MAVIS) - a next-generation aviation weather platform designed to support a rapidly evolving aviation landscape, from traditional crewed aircraft to emerging spaceport operations.

AerCap orders 100 additional A320neo Family aircraft

Aerospace

AerCap orders 100 additional A320neo Family aircraft

18 March 2026

AerCap has signed a firm order with Airbus for 23 A320neo and 77 A321neo aircraft.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner