Q3 Aircraft Orders and Deliveries Continue Slow Recovery
- ADS forecasts 2021 global aircraft deliveries will reach 988, as Q3 sees 212 aircraft delivered.
- 216 aircraft orders placed in Q3 2021, rising from just 13 placed in Q3 2020 as the global market felt the impact of the pandemic.
- UK aerospace manufacturing remains significantly weaker than February 2020.
The third quarter of 2021 has seen a continuation of the slow recovery in market confidence seen in previous months with 216 global aircraft orders placed, an increase on Q3 2020 for both single-aisles and wide-body aircraft orders.
Aircraft manufacturers delivered 212 aircraft in Q3, an increase of 23 per cent on the same period in 2020. However, deliveries of wide-body aircraft, which represent significant manufacturing value to the UK, are set to recover more slowly than the single aisle segment, as the aerospace sector continues to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite surpassing 2020 figures for orders and deliveries, UK Aerospace output remains significantly weaker than February 2020, with output 38.3 per cent smaller. UK Aerospace output for August 2021 remained static following a marginal decline in the previous month.
ADS forecasts a final 2021 aircraft delivery figure of 988 aircraft, with deliveries expected to continue recovering in Q4.
The backlog of aircraft orders remains below 13,000 and 5 per cent below Q3 2020 and the 12,808 aircraft backlog could be worth a potential £181bn to the UK and represents several years’ worth of work.
ADS Chief Executive Kevin Craven said:
“We are seeing some encouraging signs as aircraft order and delivery figures continue to recovery, but there is a long way to go for UK aerospace manufacturing output to return to pre-pandemic levels.
“Despite the slow pace of recovery, UK aerospace manufacturing is set to be a global leader in the coming green revolution in international aviation. Manufacturing offers the key to building back better post-pandemic and is essential to achieving the UK Government ambition of net zero, securing long-term economic resilience and providing high wage, skilled and rewarding careers to young people.
“To seize these opportunities, it is essential that Government and industry work together to ensure the UK competes on a national and international stage.”
ADS Forecast for aircraft deliveries set at end of Q3 2021.