Manufacturers fly high in aerospace surge

Figures from aerospace trade organisation ADS Group estimate current orders to be worth £135bn to £155bn.

This could keep engineers and manufacturers of civil, regional and business airplanes, as well as helicopters, in work for the next nine years.

The current backlog of orders stands at around 12,000 aircraft and 21,000 engines, ADS said.

July alone saw orders placed for 650 aircraft and 1,100 engines. Long-term growth projections suggest a further 29,000 civillian aircraft could be ordered between now and 2032.

Paul Everitt, chief executive at ADS, said the increase in demand will shift the industry’s focus to “maximising production and delivery numbers”.

He said: “Already this year, we have seen the number of aircraft being delivered increase significantly, putting us on track for a record-breaking year for aircraft deliveries, contributing more than £10bn to the UK already this year.”

South Yorkshire engineering firms such as Tata Steel Speciality Steel, Frix Rixson, Dormer Tools and Technicut are an essential part of the aerospace supply chain.

Last year, the aerospace industry and the Government confirmed plans to launch an engineering institute specialising in aerospace innovation.

The Aerospace Technology Institute was funded by £1bn Government investment, with the industry matching its commitment.

Engineering organisations in the region welcomed the “critical” research facility.