ADS reveals 13-year high for Q1 aircraft orders
According to trade association ADS, commercial aircraft orders rose 9% during the first quarter of 2026 compared to this period last year, reaching 569 orders and marking the highest order number for any Q1 since 2013, largely driven by a 25% increase in single-aisle aircraft orders, indicating that demand for short-haul travel continues to grow.
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The data, compiled by the trade association for the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space industries, further finds that 261 aircraft were delivered in the first quarter of 2026, representing a 4% decline in aircraft deliveries compared to the first quarter of 2025. Despite the overall decline, deliveries of wide-body aircraft saw a 13% year-on-year increase and represent the highest first quarter delivery figure since 2020, pointing to improvements in the wide-body delivery pipeline.
The global aircraft order backlog now stands at 16,656 aircraft, the largest backlog figure since records began. At current production rates, ADS estimates that this could generate over £385 billion for the UK economy.
Aimie Stone, Chief Economist at ADS commened: “The figures from the first quarter of 2026 show that confidence across the aerospace sector has remained resilient, despite an increasingly challenging geopolitical and macroeconomic backdrop. Aircraft orders have continued to rise, reflecting sustained demand in the market.
“However, given ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, it is still too early to say whether this momentum will be sustained through the year or whether growth may begin to slow. If the industry is to continue building on this progress, global policy coordination, alongside continued support from governments and the business community, will remain crucial.”