Aircraft sales at Paris Air Show worth £8bn to UK industry

Manufacturers announced orders, commitments and intent agreements for 861 new aircraft across the single aisle, wide-body, regional aircraft and turboprop categories. These could be worth up to £8 billion to the UK if all commitments and intent agreements are confirmed, while 115 firm orders are expected to be worth £1.2 billion to £1.4 billion.

Overall aircraft deliveries in 2019 remain close to the rate set by the new record last year, with the total of 515 deliveries to the end of May.

With just 13 behind 2018, the value of these deliveries to the UK is estimated between £10 billion and £11.5 billion, helped by 11 more wide-body aircraft delivered in May 2019 compared to 2018.

The order backlog at the end of May fell below 14,000 aircraft for the first time in 18 months, but the current 13,828 will worth an estimated £214 billion to the UK aerospace industry as these aircraft are manufactured in coming years.

ADS chief executive Paul Everitt said: “The Paris Airshow saw good news for UK manufacturers as airlines and leasing companies placed new orders and commitments for modern, technologically advanced and fuel efficient aircraft.

“Sustainability and reducing the impact of aviation on the environment was a key theme of this year’s Airshow, and we welcome the joint statement made by Chief Technology Officers from seven of the most important manufacturers on their strategy to address the issue.

“We are a world leader in aerospace manufacturing and have the opportunity to secure great economic gains as well as environmental benefits from developing the next generation of flight technology if we make the UK an attractive destination for new R&D investment.

“The global success of the UK aerospace industry is built upon close regulatory alignment and supply integration across the European Union. The UK benefits of high value, long-term jobs and sustained investment in new technology are threatened by a No Deal Brexit.”

ADS Group www.adsgroup.org.uk