Aerospace backlog over 17,000 aircraft: additive manufacturing becomes strategic for the supply chain
The commercial aviation order book surpassed 17,000 aircraft for the first time in July 2026, reaching 17,037 units according to data from ADS Group. This backlog equates to over twelve years of production at current rates and poses an unprecedented challenge to the production capacity of Airbus, Boeing, and the entire aerospace supply chain.
The pressure does not stem from a lack of demand. The problem is turning orders into concrete deliveries, increasing production of engines, aerostructures, systems, and components without compromising quality and certification.
- Aerospace backlog: 17,037 aircraft in July 2026, over 12 years of production
- Orders July 2026: +537% compared to July 2025
- Deliveries first 7 months of 2026: 794 units, best result since 2018
- Critical imbalance: orders grow faster than deliveries
The orders-deliveries dynamic accelerates
*Orders continue to outpace deliveries even as production improves, fueling a backlog that requires innovative production solutions.*
In July 2026 alone, 242 commercial aircraft were ordered, with growth of 537% compared to the same month in 2025 and 85% compared to July 2024. Monthly deliveries stood at 121 units, matching the result of July 2024.
In the first seven months of 2026, deliveries reached 794 aircraft, the best January-July result since 2018. However, orders in the same period reached 1,573 units, 31% more than in the first seven months of 2025.
This growing gap between demand and production capacity represents the dynamic that has pushed the backlog beyond 17,000. Even during a phase of production improvement, more aircraft enter the order book than leave as deliveries.
Implications for additive manufacturing
*The record backlog makes additive manufacturing a strategic technology to accelerate delivery times and increase production capacity without massive infrastructure investments.*
The pressure on the aerospace supply chain creates concrete opportunities for advanced manufacturing technologies. Metal additive manufacturing is already used by GE Aerospace for critical components such as engine fuel nozzle tips.
Airbus has qualified technologies such as wire Directed Energy Deposition (w-DED) for applications in the aviation industry. These solutions allow the production of complex components while reducing time and costs compared to traditional processes.
ADS Group data is based on deliveries and orders reported by Airbus, Boeing, and Comac. The backlog considers only Airbus and Boeing, excluding other manufacturers to maintain consistency in the historical series.
The challenge of production scalability
*Increasing production requires simultaneously expanding the capacity of suppliers, materials, and certification systems across the entire supply chain.*
The backlog of over twelve years highlights that the difficulty is not just assembling more aircraft. It is necessary to increase the production of engines, aerostructures, systems, and components while maintaining the quality and certification standards required by commercial aviation.
CFM International, GE Aerospace, and Safran Aircraft Engines must scale up engine production. Rolls-Royce faces similar challenges. Additive manufacturing can accelerate the production of complex components, reducing dependence on traditional subtractive processes.
| Period | Orders | Deliveries | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 242 | 121 | +537% orders vs 2025 |
| Jan-Jul 2026 | 1.573 | 794 | +31% orders vs 2025 |
Outlook for the sector
*The record backlog turns production capacity into the main bottleneck of the aerospace industry, making investments in advanced technologies a priority.*
July 2026 data confirm a consolidated trend. Demand for commercial aircraft remains robust, fueled by leasing companies such as AerCap and SMBC Aviation Capital and by expanding airlines.
The Farnborough International Airshow recorded significant announcements from Airbus, Boeing, and GE Aerospace. These orders will further fuel the backlog in the coming months.
For suppliers of additive manufacturing technologies, this situation represents a strategic opportunity. The need to accelerate production without compromising quality and certification favors the adoption of innovative processes throughout the aerospace supply chain.
The RISE program, developed by GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, integrates components produced with metal additive manufacturing. This trend will extend to future programs as production pressure increases.
article written with the help of artificial intelligence systems
Q&A
How many aircraft make up the aerospace backlog as of July 2026?
According to ADS Group data, the order book reached 17,037 aircraft by July 2026. This volume equals over twelve years of production at current rates.
How did commercial aircraft orders change in July 2026?
In July 2026 alone, 242 commercial aircraft were ordered, marking a 537% increase compared to the same month in 2025. The rise is also 85% when compared to July 2024.
What is the number of deliveries recorded in the first seven months of 2026?
In the first seven months of 2026, deliveries totaled 794 aircraft, representing the best result for the January-July period since 2018. However, this figure remains lower than the order volume.
Which additive technologies are already qualified or used in the sector?
GE Aerospace uses metal additive manufacturing for critical components such as fuel nozzles. Additionally, Airbus has qualified wire Directed Energy Deposition (w-DED) technology for aeronautical applications.
Why is additive manufacturing considered strategic in this context?
The record backlog makes this technology essential to accelerate delivery times and increase production capacity. It allows producing complex components while reducing time and costs without massive infrastructure investments.
