Aerospace industry posts record production figures

In total, 1,397 aircraft came off the production line in 2015

The aerospace industry had a record year for aircraft production in 2015, with an increase of 44% on delivery levels since 2010, according to data from trade body ADS Group.

In total, 1,397 aircraft came off the production line in 2015, an increase in value to UK industry of around £3 billion on the previous year. 

Commercial aircraft production levels have grown by nearly 50% since 2009, with a new aircraft ordered on average every four hours and delivered every 6.5 hours globally in 2015. 

Paul Everitt, chief executive at ADS Group, said: “The figures demonstrate that the UK’s aerospace industry is a national success story making a significant contribution to growth and prosperity; £23 billion is a huge sum at a time when many other sectors are under pressure.  The record rise in delivery rates reflects growing global demand and the benefit of long term investment in skills, technology and productivity.   

“Continuing to grow our share of the global marketplace in the face of fierce competition is an on-going challenge; however support from government through its commitment to industrial approaches is creating the right climate for industry to succeed, promoting the UK supply chain and attracting inward investment.”

Over the past six years, orders for new aircraft have seen the backlog nearly double, it is currently worth up to £108 billion to the UK’s aerospace industry. Delivery rates are expected to increase in 2016 as manufacturers raise production in order to work through the record backlog.