Aircraft orders reach new heights

Order backlog could equate to more than nine years of work for the aerospace sector, says report

Orders for new civilian aircraft have reached a record of more than 12,000, worth tens of billions of pounds to the UK economy, according to a new report.

Aerospace trade organisation ADS Group said a bumper number of orders in August increased the global order book to 12,113 and 21,128 engines.

Chief executive Paul Everitt said: "This latest data signals the strength of the sector. We estimate that the current backlog could equate to more than nine years work in hand for the aerospace sector, giving industry the confidence to focus on the long-term picture, investing in skills and research and development to develop the technologies of tomorrow."