Commercial aircraft deliveries reached their highest first-half total in eight years during the opening six months of 2026, as rising airline demand pushed the global order backlog to a record high, according to new figures from ADS.
The UK trade association reported that 673 commercial aircraft were delivered between January and June 2026, representing a 13% increase on the same period last year and the strongest half-year delivery performance since 2018. The total was 77 aircraft higher than in the first half of 2025.
The figures also show continued strength in aircraft orders ahead of this year’s Farnborough International Airshow. During the first six months of 2026, 1,331 aircraft orders were placed globally, a 15% year-on-year increase.
Demand was driven largely by the single-aisle market, with 1,074 narrowbody aircraft ordered, marking a record first-half total and a 59% increase compared with the same period in 2025. Orders for widebody aircraft reached 257 during the period.
The sustained demand has pushed the global commercial aircraft order backlog to a record 16,925 aircraft by the end of June, up 4% year-on-year. ADS estimates that, at current production rates, the backlog could be worth as much as £393bn to the UK economy, underlining the long-term importance of the aerospace sector to UK manufacturing and its supply chains.
Aimie Stone, Chief Economist at ADS, said the figures demonstrate the industry’s continued recovery as it heads into what is expected to be the largest Farnborough International Airshow to date.
“As the industry prepares for what is set to be the largest Farnborough International Airshow on record, global aircraft orders and deliveries have continued to gather momentum throughout the first half of the year,” she said.
“With deliveries at their strongest level since 2018, the sector is entering the Airshow from a position of real strength and we look forward to seeing further commercial activity over the week ahead.”
Despite the positive outlook, Stone warned that manufacturers require greater policy certainty to sustain production growth and meet increasing global demand.
She highlighted the UK’s Steel Trade Measures, introduced on 1 July 2026, as an area where greater clarity would help manufacturers and suppliers invest with confidence.
“To maintain this momentum and meet growing global demand, industry needs greater certainty on a number of policy issues, including the Steel Trade Measures introduced on 1 July 2026. Providing clarity and stability for manufacturers and suppliers will be essential to helping UK aerospace businesses invest with confidence and ramp up production.”
The latest data suggests aerospace manufacturers continue to benefit from strong post-pandemic demand for new aircraft, while the expanding backlog provides long-term visibility for OEMs and suppliers across the global aerospace manufacturing sector.
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