Supply chain stagnation feeds lowest October deliveries since 2021
Global commercial aircraft deliveries dropped by 25% in October 2024 compared to the same month in 2023, with just 79 handed over—marking the lowest October delivery count since 2021, according to ADS.
Meanwhile, aircraft orders fell by 40%, with only 145 orders placed during the month, the UK trade association representing aerospace and related industries said.
The ADS data paints a challenging picture for 2024, as year-to-date orders are down 54% compared to the first ten months of 2023, reflecting a significant slowdown in demand for new aircraft.
Despite the decline, orders continue to surpass deliveries, keeping the commercial aircraft order backlog at a record high of 15,933 units by the end of October. This backlog represents over a decade of production and is estimated to be worth up to £240 billion for the UK aerospace industry.
While the backlog signals long-term stability for the sector, the sharp fall in current orders and deliveries underscores persistent challenges, including supply chain bottlenecks, economic uncertainty, and evolving market dynamics. The aerospace industry will likely need to navigate these headwinds to maintain resilience in the coming years.
Aimie Stone, chief economist at ADS, said: “October delivery figures have been lower for the sector as efforts to increase production, coincide with an increasingly challenging UK manufacturing environment, characterised by high material, energy, labour, and capital costs.
“While the sector welcomes the continued government support for aerospace R&D and recognition in the Industrial Strategy Green Paper, we need to see increased, intensive cooperation between suppliers, primes, and the Government to deliver a successful and competitive rate ramp-up.”
