Aircraft delivery figures for May show that the aerospace industry has been severely impacted by the effects of Covid-19 on aviation and on manufacturing production.

There were only nine aircraft orders recorded, and year-to-date orders have reached 423, maintaining a ‘healthy backlog’ of 13,779; this is largely due to a record January, before the effects of the crisis were felt, and orders are forecast to be disrupted for months in the wake of the pandemic.

The 28 aircraft deliveries for May marks a 75% decrease on May 2019, as airlines have been unable to receive new aircraft or have put them on hold.

Paul Everitt, chief executive of the industry body ADS (pictured), said: “This crisis has brought serious challenges to the UK’s aerospace industry and will continue to do so as it experiences a slower restart than many sectors.

We welcome the announcement last month by the Transport Secretary of the Jet Zero Council and investment in sustainable aviation fuels.

These are positive steps, but we now need to see focused support to protect the tens of thousands of jobs that are at risk in our world-leading aerospace industry.

“We are clear on the steps that need to be taken to make sure we can compete internationally for exports and investment.

“These include investing in developing and building the sustainable aircraft that will help us to meet our target of Net Zero by 2050, maximising the power of Government procurement to deliver high-value jobs in every part of the UK, and ensuring that financial support is in place for supply chain businesses that need it.”