Global Aerospace Deliveries Surge 45% in May 2026

Commercial aircraft orders and deliveries jumped sharply in May 2026. The UK aerospace trade body ADS recorded 142 aircraft deliveries, a 45% increase over May 2025, and 406 orders, up 34% year‑on‑year. Single‑aisle aircraft demand exploded, rising 160% compared with the previous May. Year‑to‑date, 1,139 aircraft orders have been placed, 35% more than the prior year, pushing the global backlog to an all‑time high of 16,909 aircraft—about 12 years of production at current rates.

In the United States, new non‑defence aircraft and parts orders reached $13.9 billion in February 2026, despite a 42.4% month‑to‑month drop, remaining 24.1% higher than a year earlier. Employment in U.S. aircraft engine and parts manufacturing rose 5.9% in March, with wages climbing 3.7% year‑over‑year, reflecting confidence in long‑term demand. Analysts forecast a compounded annual growth rate of 4.88% for U.S. engine and parts manufacturers through 2030, driven by fleet modernization, rising air travel, and defense spending.