The global commercial aircraft order backlog hit a record high in July 2026, surpassing 17,000 for the first time, according to the new figures from trade association ADS.
ADS’s latest economics briefing shows a record 17,037 aircraft order backlog, equivalent to more than 12 years of production at current delivery rates. The record orderbook represents an estimated £395bn in value to the UK economy, underlining the potential long-term opportunity for the country’s aerospace manufacturing sector.
Global manufacturers recorded 242 aircraft orders in July, up 537% compared with the same month last year and 85% higher than July 2024, when the Farnborough International Airshow was last held. At the same time, 121 aircraft were delivered during July, matching 2024 as the highest July delivery total on record.
Year-to-date deliveries reached 794 aircraft, making the first seven months of 2026 the strongest January-to-July period since 2018.
Single-aisle aircraft drive demand
Demand has remained particularly strong for single-aisle aircraft, with 1,261 orders recorded during the first seven months of 2026, up 78% year-on-year. ADS said the figures reflect continued passenger demand for short-haul travel alongside airlines’ focus on fleet efficiency. July accounted for 187 single-aisle orders, a 467% increase on July 2025.
Demand for widebody aircraft also increased sharply, with 55 orders recorded during July, a 1,000% year-on-year increase.
Overall, 1,573 commercial aircraft orders were placed globally during the first seven months of 2026, representing a 31% increase compared with the same period in 2025.
Aerospace manufacturers face delivery challenge
Despite the strong order intake, the continued expansion of the backlog highlights the challenge manufacturers face in converting demand into completed aircraft.
ADS has outlined three scenarios for full-year aircraft deliveries in 2026, ranging from 1,490 aircraft under its modest growth scenario to 1,630 under its high growth scenario.
The medium growth scenario would see 1,560 aircraft delivered during the year, representing growth of just over 10%, while the high growth scenario would deliver approximately 16% growth on 2025.
ADS chief executive Kevin Craven said the record backlog demonstrated the “sustained demand” for new aircraft and represented a significant opportunity for the UK aerospace sector.
“The UK plays a critical role in major commercial aircraft programmes,” he said. “With the current backlog worth up to £395bn to UK industry, these figures underline the importance of maintaining a competitive aerospace ecosystem that can support growth, innovation and exports.”
Craven added that manufacturers continued to face supply chain and industrial challenges, but said the strongest year-to-date delivery performance since 2018 showed that progress was being made.
“Converting the orderbook into aircraft deliveries will be crucial to realising the full economic benefits for the UK and the wider global aerospace industry,” he said.
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