Commercial aircraft manufacturers delivered 132 aircraft in October 2025, a 67% increase compared to the same month in 2024, according to the trade association ADS. This marks the highest number of October deliveries since 2018, reflecting a robust recovery in production for the UK aerospace sector.
Despite the strong delivery performance, aircraft orders for October totalled 127 — down 12% on the previous year and the lowest October figure since 2021. The data highlights a continuing divergence between deliveries and new orders, a trend the industry will be watching closely.
ADS notes that the global backlog of aircraft orders now stands at 16,133, representing up to £260bn to the UK economy. At current production rates, this backlog is expected to sustain more than 16 years’ worth of work for the sector, underlining the long-term significance of the orders pipeline.
Year-to-date deliveries now total 1,092 aircraft, a 25% increase over the same period in 2024. With the strong performance continuing through October, the industry is on track to meet ADS’ “high growth” scenario of 1,340 aircraft deliveries by the end of 2025.
Aimie Stone, Chief Economist at ADS, said: “October’s delivery figures signal that the industry is moving towards a more stable and sustained delivery drumbeat. The priority now is to maintain this momentum through to the final stretch of 2025.
“It is vital that government policy supports this progress rather than burdens the industry with an uncertain business environment. This is a pivotal moment to strengthen the UK’s aerospace supply chain and to act decisively to ensure our sector remains competitive.”
As global demand continues to recover, the UK aerospace sector’s record deliveries and robust backlog highlight both the resilience and strategic importance of the industry, providing sustained employment and economic value over the coming decade and beyond.
For more articles like this, visit our Leadership channel
