Aerospace industry finished 2019 with lowest deliveries in 7 years

The global aerospace industry ended the year with its lowest delivery total since 2012, following eight successive record years for the sector.

Sustained high demand for modern, fuel efficient aircraft is expected to drive a return to long-term growth in the years ahead, with nearly 14,000 aircraft on manufacturers’ order books. The backlog of orders fell for the first time since records began but is still worth up to £210 billion to UK industry as it is fulfilled.

Widebody aircraft achieved their highest number of deliveries on record, up 12.4% on 2018 at 427 aircraft, worth up to £22.5 billion to UK industry. Orders in the widebody category also grew in 2019, up 5.9%.

ADS chief executive Paul Everitt said: “Despite global headwinds affecting the aerospace industry last year, we are confident demand remains strong and production rates will again begin to rise.

“As we look forward, the industry is committed to making rapid progress on reducing the environmental impact of aviation, developing and producing the green technologies of the future that will be vital to sustainable air travel.

“For UK manufacturers to stay competitive, we must continue growing our exports to Europe as well as growing our business in the wider global marketplace. As the UK negotiates its future relationship with the European Union, it is essential that the needs of manufacturers and the high value jobs they generate across the country are given priority.”

ADS Group www.adsgroup.org.uk