Global Aircraft Deliveries Holding Steady Despite Challenges
- Deliveries have kept pace with 2018 to the end of April, worth up to £8.5bn to UK industry in the first four months of this year.
- Wide-body deliveries, worth more to the UK, are up more than eight per cent in the year to April compared to 2018.
- Order backlog falls as customers delay decisions in the face of global challenges but remains above 14,000 aircraft for the 17th consecutive month.
Aircraft deliveries in the first four months of 2019 have kept pace with the same period last year, with 93 aircraft delivered in April. This brings the total deliveries for the year to date to 404 just three aircraft behind the rate achieved in 2018.
An increase in wide-body deliveries has compensated for a 3.6% fall in single-aisle deliveries. Increased wide-body deliveries have seen a greater value to the UK with deliveries being worth up to £8.5bn to the UK in the year to date.
Challenges in the global aerospace industry, including trade disputes and political uncertainty, mean original forecasts of nearly 1800 deliveries in 2019 may face revision in the coming months.
Year to date aircraft orders reached 162 aircraft after only five new orders were placed in April, but the backlog remains at more than 14,000 aircraft.
ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said:
“Aircraft deliveries this year are matching the pace set in a record 2018, despite challenges in the global aerospace industry, from trade disputes and protectionism to political uncertainty.
“While the month of April saw new orders delayed as customers take stock, long-term demand for modern, fuel efficient aircraft remains at historic highs, offering UK industry a valuable opportunity for the coming years.
“Aerospace manufacturers are continuing to raise productivity and invest in their own competitiveness to meet strong international demand. They are looking to political leaders to reach solutions to challenges like Brexit and the rising threat of protectionism to help bring confidence back to the market.”