Aerospace sector sees "worst ever" period with 91.4 per cent decline

A UK trade body has reported that aerospace manufacturers received no new orders for commercial aircraft last month.

ADS Group said that only 13 orders were placed worldwide in the third quarter of the year, reflecting the sector’s “worst ever” period.

The period saw a decline of 91.4 per cent on the same quarter last year, according to ADS, which represents and supports more than 1,100 UK businesses in aerospace.

Paul Everitt, chief executive, commented: “The aerospace and aviation industries have invested in robust health and safety measures as part of aircraft design which makes the risk of transmission when travelling aboard an aircraft extremely low.

“We need to continue to work together internationally to improve consumer confidence and encourage a return to the skies.

“The quarantine period that passengers face when they return home is one of the main barriers to UK aviation’s recovery and testing can play a major role in reducing this.

“The government should rapidly implement a testing regime so that the 14-day quarantine period can be shortened.

“This will help improve confidence amongst travellers and in turn put the aviation and aerospace sectors on a path towards recovery.”