Aircraft orders for January saw a steady start to 2022, with 91 single-aisle and 22 widebody aircraft ordered: figures higher than an average pre-pandemic January.
Order numbers were driven by the single-aisle market segment, which as expected continues to lead aerospace’s slow but continuing recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Global manufacturers delivered 62 aircraft during the month, which compared to January 2021 is a 32% improvement and the largest number of deliveries made in the month of January since 2019.
Aircraft deliveries are expected to pick up in the months ahead as manufacturers increase production rates, and the international aviation sector’s recovery from the pandemic strengthens.
Despite cancellations, the backlog of aircraft continues to rise with demand and is above 13,000 at 13,072, a positive marker for the long-term health of the sector. In the coming years, the backlog could be worth up to £186.2 million to the UK aerospace industry.
This is an encouraging start to 2022, with stronger than average aircraft order numbers, founded on demand for new and highly fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft as the short-haul market recovers at a faster pace.
During 2022 we expect to see more long-haul travel routes restored to normality as global restrictions continue to lift, which will support our UK aerospace manufacturing ambitions. This is an exciting year for UK aerospace and aviation, with continued progress in the development of net-zero aircraft technology and as our industry advances in its recovery from the unprecedented challenges of the last two years.
ADS will issue a global delivery forecast for the year when Q1 order and delivery figures are published in April.
