Commercial-aircraft deliveries in the first four months of the year continued to closely match the production pace set in 2016, with 406 aircraft delivered to airlines world-wide.

This output has been worth an estimated £8 billion to UK industry, making it the highest figure on record for
January to April. Of this sum, £5.5 billion resulted from deliveries of 109 wide-body aircraft and £2.5 billion from single-aisle aircraft.

The figures maintain a positive outlook for the aerospace sector in the UK and around the world, with the backlog of
orders standing at 13,382 aircraft.

Paul Everitt, chief executive of the trade organisation ADS, said: “It is vital that to achieve further increases in production rates, we see investment in new technologies and processes to support a real boost in productivity, improving the ability of supply chains to meet high global demand.

“There are important choices to be made by the Government on developing industrial strategy, supporting innovation and creating a world-leading business environment that could help the UK aerospace industry play an even greater role in this global market.”