The aerospace industry saw aircraft deliveries plummet to a record low last month - following a bumper start to 2020.
The number of aircraft orders in the first two months of the year was the best for six years (314) - and a 471 per cent increase on the year before - according to new figures from industry trade organisation ADS.
The overall backlog of orders is now 14,094, which is worth around £210billion to the UK and is “at least” eight years’ of work-in-hand, ADS said.
However, the industry has been hit by the coronavirus outbreak and February saw only 18 aircraft orders, all of which were widebody aircraft - down on the 296 orders in January - and record low deliveries of only 72 aircraft.
Deliveries are being impacted by a variety of factors, according to ADS, but the year-to-date on overall orders remains "positive", they said.
ADS chief executive Paul Everitt said: “We are doing all we can to ensure our aerospace supply chains have the protection and support that they need to get them through the Covid-19 global pandemic so that they can continue to manufacture world-class products and equipment.
“Many companies will face significant challenges and it is essential that support announced by the Government should be made available to affected businesses quickly, protecting jobs and the prosperity of communities across the country.
"In the months ahead, we will also need to explore how best to support companies on the journey back to stability and growth.”
From next month, the direct impact of coronavirus on aircraft orders and deliveries will start to be seen, ADS added, and year-on-year comparisons will show the impact of the global pandemic.
