Commercial aircraft orders surged in April 2026, reaching their highest level for the month in a decade.
The latest data from ADS, the trade association for the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space industries, highlights that a total of 164 aircraft orders were placed during the month, almost eight times higher than April 2025. The sharp increase was driven in part by a resurgence in demand for widebodies, with 94 orders recorded, representing an 840% rise on the same month last year.
Aircraft deliveries also showed continued progress, with 115 Airbus, Boeing and Comac aircraft delivered in April – up 13% year-on-year and the highest April delivery figure since 2015. Growth was led by single-aisle programmes, with 95 aircraft delivered during the month, reflecting ongoing efforts by manufacturers to increase narrowbody production rates.
Resilience in the face of global instability
ADS data highlights the sector’s resilience, with 733 aircraft orders placed in the first four months of 2026, more than one-third higher than the same period last year.
The global aircraft backlog reached a new all-time high of 16,683 aircraft (Airbus and Boeing) at the end of April, up 5% year-on-year. At current production rates, this represents approximately 12 years of work for the global aerospace industry and is estimated to be worth £335–385 billion to the UK economy.
Despite this positive momentum, ADS continues not to issue a formal forecast for aircraft deliveries in 2026, reflecting ongoing geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty facing the global aerospace sector.
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.
The full ADS economics briefing can be found here.
