1 minute read
2019 aircraft deliveries were worth £29.5bn to the UK
Despite the global aerospace industry being challenged by numerous headwinds in 2019, resulting in the lowest delivery total since 2012, overall aircraft deliveries last year were worth up to £29.5bn to UK industry. The downturn in 2019 followed eight successive record years for the aerospace industry in delivery of its aircraft.
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 £210bn to UK industry as it is fulfilled.
Widebody aircraft achieved their highest number of deliveries on record, up 12.4 per cent on 2018 at 427 aircraft, worth up to £22.5bn to UK industry. Orders in the widebody category also grew in 2019, up 5.9 per cent.
Despite lower totals in 2019, overall aircraft deliveries last year were worth up to £29.5bn to UK industry / Picture: Getty/iStock
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.”