2 minute read - 31st October 2022
Aerospace sector sees best Q3 for aircraft orders since 2015
As the aerospace sector recovery continues at pace, the third quarter of 2022 saw 670 global aircraft orders placed, the highest Q3 figures since 2015 and a 43% increase year-to-date, according to figures released by industry body ADS.
In line with post-pandemic recovery expectations, demand for single-aisle aircraft continues to dominate the market recovery with 601 aircraft ordered, though in Q3, orders for wide-body aircraft increased by 60% with 69 aircraft ordered.
Aircraft manufacturers delivered 252 aircraft in Q3 2022, which surpasses Q3 2021 deliveries by 19% and takes the total year-to-date aircraft deliveries to 765 aircraft. In Q3, 2022 deliveries for both single-aisle and wide-body aircraft increased at 13% and 55% respectively. If a delivery average of 85 aircraft per month continues for the remainder of the year, 2022 deliveries could surpass the ADS forecast and reach 1,000 deliveries.
The aerospace sector has seen its best Q3 for aircraft orders since 2015. The order backlog remains above 13,000 for the tenth consecutive month and annual deliveries could surpass 1,000 by the end of the year / Picture: Getty/iStock
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Flight data at the end of the quarter continues to show signs of recovery with UK flight arrivals at a 16% reduction from comparable data at the end of September 2019. 2022 recovery has been on an upward trend since June, driven by key calendar events such as summer holidays and the easing of international travel restrictions.
The backlog of aircraft remains above 13,000 for the tenth consecutive month, rising with demand and market confidence with a 2% growth on Q3 2021. The backlog is also worth a potential £217bn to the UK aerospace sector.
ADS chief executive, Kevin Craven, said: “We are seeing the best Q3 for aircraft orders since 2015 – a very welcome indication that long-term recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic continues at pace. In addition, the possibility of aircraft deliveries exceeding 1,000 aircraft for the first time since 2019 demonstrates our manufacturers are absorbing the recent production rate ramp ups. Nevertheless, the global operating environment remains tempestuous with continuing supply chain issues and rising costs associated with raw materials and energy creating ongoing challenges for the sector.”
Graphic and data courtesy of ADS