Aircraft Orders Remain Low Despite Highest Deliveries of 2020
- Global aircraft orders still suffering as the month of October 2020 saw just 11 orders placed.
- October saw 85 commercial aircraft deliveries, the most in any one month for 2020 so far, but still behind previous years.
- Introduction of private testing to reduce quarantine period can provide boost to the industry as it looks to recovery and increasing demand if implemented properly.
The ongoing crisis saw October 2020 log the lowest number of global commercial aircraft orders for the month on record with just 11 placed. All orders made were for single-aisle aircraft.
Global commercial aircraft deliveries recovered to 85, the best month for deliveries in 2020. However, this remains lower than the 97 deliveries made in October 2019, and significantly down on the more than 130 delivered in the same month in the previous two years. Despite the moderate recovery in delivery numbers, this is the lowest October delivery figure since 2012.
The total backlog of aircraft orders now stands at 13,355 aircraft, following deliveries and 15 cancellations in the month of October. Despite the fall in the backlog from more than 14,000 aircraft a year ago, it is still worth up to £200 billion to the UK if all the orders on the books convert into deliveries.
ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said:
“The aerospace and aviation industries continue to face challenging circumstances and an uncertain path to recovery. This is reflected in the latest production data with manufacturers seeing record lows of orders and deliveries.
“The recent confirmation of a new UK Test to Release system to cut quarantine for international travellers is a welcome first step to recovery. It must be swiftly followed by internationally agreed measures to provide more resilient travel corridors to build consumer confidence.
“The industry faces a long haul to full recovery and supply chain companies will need additional support to survive until demand fully returns.”