2 minute read - 30th January 2023
Strong 2022 sees aircraft delivery figures up 20%
Overall aircraft order and delivery figures for 2022 show a growing recovery is underway from the lasting impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Global deliveries in 2022 totalled 1,144 aircraft, significantly exceeding the ADS forecast of 997 made in Q1 2022 and soaring beyond the symbolic 1,000 aircraft mark for the first time since 2019.
During 2022, 957 single-aisle aircraft and 187 wide-body aircraft were delivered, a 20% increase on 2021, reflecting a steady growth in recovery as manufacturers deliver production rate ramp ups. Aircraft orders increased 20% from 2021 with 2,013 new aircraft orders placed, the largest annual order intake since 2017, as demand for newer, cleaner, and fuel-efficient aircraft continues. The news comes a few days after Airbus announced its intention to recruit more than 13,000 people in 2023 to support its commercial aircraft ramp up.
A strong 2022 saw global aircraft deliveries rise 20% to 1,144. Last year also saw 2,013 new aircraft orders placed – the order backlog remains above 13,000 for the thirteenth consecutive month / Picture: Getty/iStock
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The high order number is driven by recovery of single-aisle aircraft demand which accounted for 85% of new orders placed and continues to outpace the recovery of the wide-body market. Industry confidence was also boosted by the return of Farnborough International Airshow in July 2022 which saw Airbus and Boeing announce deals worth an estimated $4.5bn to the UK.
The backlog of aircraft totalled a strong 13,525 aircraft at year end, remaining above 13,000 aircraft for the thirteenth consecutive month, representing a potential £190bn in economic value to UK manufacturing in the coming years. Although the UK aerospace manufacturing sector continues to face challenges including the rising cost of doing business and supply chain issues, aerospace manufacturing output increased 0.6% in November and remains stable.
ADS chief executive, Kevin Craven, said: “Global aircraft deliveries exceeding 1,100 aircraft for the first time since 2019 is a huge milestone in the aerospace sector’s long-term recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The final months of 2022 saw a very impressive increase in deliveries, strongly underpinned by our UK manufacturing ability in delivering critical components, such as wings for the A320 family, further demonstrating the UK’s excellence as a global centre for aerospace manufacturing.
“2023 is an opportunity for the UK to continue to spearhead the development of revolutionary green aerospace technology, supporting the UK’s global net zero ambitions. I hope to see the ongoing recovery continue at pace but am concerned by the impacts of the rising cost of doing business and supply chain challenges on ADS members.”
Graphic and data courtesy of ADS Group Commercial Aerospace Market Information