Gitnux/Report 2026

Aerospace Manufacturing Industry Statistics

The U.S. aerospace-and-defense industry generated more than $995 billion in sales in 2024, explore the figures behind growth, companies and trends in aerospace manufacturing.
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November 11, 2026Updated
Aerospace Manufacturing Industry Statistics
Samuel NorbergWritten by Samuel Norberg·Fact-checked by Maya Johansson
Published ·Updated
How this report is researched
01Editorial Scope

Before any source is gathered, an editor locks the question, what qualifies, and how the piece will be judged.

02Source Research

Search agents collect the source set and pull each data point out with its provenance attached.

Read our full methodology →

Search agents attach provenance to every extracted figure.

Next review: within 31 days

01 Industry overview

The aerospace manufacturing industry at a glance

Aerospace manufacturing operates under capacity constraints, with U.S. aerospace and defense sales exceeding $995 billion in 2024. Airbus expects demand for 43,420 passenger and freighter aircraft from 2025 to 2044, supported by passenger traffic growth and fleet replacement, while engine shortages and production bottlenecks remain delivery risks.

$995B+[78]
U.S. industry sales, 2024
43,420[22]
Aircraft demand, 2025–2044
793[22]
Airbus deliveries, 2025
$172.7B[24]
U.S. aerospace exports, 2025
Market size
The Aerospace Industries Association reported that the U.S. aerospace and defense industry generated more than $995 billion in sales in 2024. The figure covers the broader aerospace-and-defense manufacturing ecosystem rather than civil aerospace manufacturing alone.[78]
Forecast & CAGR
Airbus forecasts demand for 43,420 passenger and freighter aircraft from 2025 to 2044, including 34,250 typically single-aisle and 9,170 typically widebody aircraft. Passenger traffic is projected to grow at a 3.6% CAGR through 2044, while air-cargo demand is forecast to grow at 3.3% annually.[22]
Market share & regions
Boeing’s 2026–2045 outlook assigns about 55% of new commercial-aircraft deliveries to transitioning and emerging markets, including China, the Middle East, Latin America, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa; mature regions account for about 45%. China alone is expected to require 8,830 new passenger aircraft over the period in Airbus’s 2026 forecast.[21][22]
Segmentation
Airbus’s 2025 demand forecast divides the commercial market into typically single-aisle and typically widebody aircraft: 34,250 and 9,170 units respectively over 2025–2044. In the U.S. aerospace-and-defense industry, commercial aerospace represented 51% of direct manufacturing employment in 2025, with defense and national security representing 49%.[22][24]
Key players & concentration
Commercial large-aircraft manufacturing is highly concentrated between Airbus and Boeing. In 2025, Airbus delivered 793 commercial aircraft, while Boeing delivered 585, according to Eurocontrol’s review; together, the two manufacturers accounted for 1,378 deliveries.[22][79]
Pricing
Public manufacturers generally do not disclose transaction prices for individual aircraft because prices vary by configuration, discounts, financing and support packages. Airbus reported that its commercial-aircraft business generated €5.47 billion in adjusted EBIT in 2025, while its services forecast values the global commercial-aviation services market at $209 billion in 2026.[22]
Trends, drivers & challenges
Demand is being supported by passenger traffic growth, fleet replacement and the need for more fuel-efficient aircraft: Airbus expects 18,930 of the 43,420 deliveries through 2044 to replace older aircraft. Manufacturers continue to face supply-chain constraints, including engine shortages and production bottlenecks; Airbus specifically identified Pratt & Whitney engine shortages as a 2026 delivery risk.[22]
Consumer behavior & competition
Airline customers are buying across differentiated service models: Boeing reports that carriers are expanding both ultra-low-cost and premium offerings according to route economics and passenger value. Premium demand is strongest in North America and Northeast Asia, while low-cost growth is expanding in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia.[21]
M&A
Vertical integration and capacity expansion are prominent in aerospace M&A. Boeing completed its acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems in December 2025 to strengthen commercial production and supply-chain stability, while GE Aerospace agreed in September 2026 to acquire Consolidated Precision Products for $11.75 billion to expand casting capacity.[80][20]
Regulation
Production is governed by certification, quality-system and continuing-airworthiness requirements. In July 2026, the FAA allowed Boeing to resume issuing airworthiness certificates for new airplanes after a safety review, while stating that inspectors would maintain rigorous oversight of Boeing’s production processes.[81]
Latest news
The latest major industry developments include Boeing’s reported plan to cut about 5% of its commercial-airplane workforce as it slows production increases and expects to miss its 2026 delivery target, alongside GE Aerospace’s announced $11.75 billion acquisition of CPP. Airbus also opened its second A320 final-assembly line in China in September 2026.[82][20][22]

02 Ranking

Top 10 Companies in the Aerospace Manufacturing Industry

The leading companies in the aerospace manufacturing industry, ranked on market impact, performance, momentum, innovation and brand popularity.

Updated November 10, 2026 · Next review December 10, 2026

Verdict

GE Aerospace stands out for aircraft engine technology because its engines and partner technology power nearly one million people in the air at any time, while Boeing focuses on commercial aircraft delivery since it delivered 600 commercial airplanes in 2025 and ended the year with a $682 billion backlog.

Ranked by Overall score · How we score ↓

Editor's top 3 picks

Where to start, by need.

  1. #1 Overall · Leader in aircraft engines

    GE Aerospace

    US

    Ranked #1 · 9.5 · Aircraft engines

    Why we picked it: It supplies commercial and military engines and partner technologies at scale, with engines tied to nearly one million people.

    See in ranking ↓Visit geaerospace.com ↗

  2. Leader in commercial aircraft

    Boeing

    US

    Ranked #2 · 9.3 · Commercial aircraft

    Why we picked it: Its 2025 delivery scale and $682 billion backlog reflect a high-capacity manufacturing and services position.

    See in ranking ↓Visit boeing.com ↗

  3. Leader in aerospace systems & defense

    RTX

    US

    Ranked #3 · 9.1 · Aerospace systems & defense

    Why we picked it: Its engine and systems portfolio spans propulsion and defense manufacturing through partner and in-house products.

    See in ranking ↓Visit rtx.com ↗

Pick 1 is the #1 company overall. Picks 2 and 3 are the highest-ranked companies in the top 5 that add a new segment.

Full ranking

Sort by
Top 10 companies in the aerospace manufacturing industry, 2026 – Gitnux ranking
#CompanyOverall ↓Company snapshot
1

GE Aerospace

Aircraft engines · US

9.5
2

Boeing

Commercial aircraft · US

9.3
3

RTX

Aerospace systems & defense · US

9.1
4

Rolls-Royce

Aircraft engines · GB

9.0
5

Airbus

Commercial aircraft · NL

9.0
6

Safran

Aircraft engines, equipment, interiors and defence · FR

9.0
7

General Dynamics

Business jets and aerospace services · US

8.7
8

Embraer

Commercial, executive and defence aircraft · BR

8.6
9

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Aircraft structures, space and aerospace systems · JP

8.4
10

Textron

Business aircraft, helicopters and defence aircraft · US

8.1

How we score

  • Impact (30%): scale and weight in the market (revenue, market share, employees, market position).
  • Performance (20%): recent revenue growth and operating margin; an analyst assessment where a company does not publish them.
  • Momentum (20%): growth trajectory and future potential.
  • Innovation (15%): R&D intensity and how technologically advanced the company is.

Popularity (brand search demand, 15%) counts toward Overall but is not published as a column. Overall leaves out what is not known.

Scale Scores are shown on a 7–10 scale with one decimal; bars start at 7.0.

Cadence Recalculated when new figures are published; next review December 10, 2026.

Independence. Rankings are editorially independent. Scores, ranks, picks and the verdict follow the method above; no company can pay to change them.

Cite this ranking

APA

Samuel Norberg. (2026, November 10). Top 10 companies in the aerospace manufacturing industry. In Aerospace Manufacturing Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/aerospace-manufacturing-industry-statistics/#top-companies

report visual · Projection

Sectoral output for aerospace product and parts manufacturing (United States)

Sectoral output for aerospace product and parts manufacturing grew from $158.4B in 2021 to $214.1B in 2025.

$158.4B
Start
+7.81%
CAGR · 4y
$214B
Projected
20212025
source-verifiedfred.stlouisfed.org2025

04 Statistics

Technology & Innovation

AI adoption is broad, with 61% of aerospace and defense respondents reporting adopting AI automation in 2024 and 83% agreeing digital continuity is a key enabler in 2025.

AI in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 35% of aerospace respondents were researching AI’s potential, experimenting with use cases, or deploying them in production in 2024, based on the all-sector survey total reported alongside aerospace results.[1]
  • 65% of aerospace and defense organizations were concerned about losing future program positions, workshare, or engineering talent if they failed to adapt quickly to AI and digital continuity in 2026.[2]
  • 44% of aerospace organizations surveyed were experimenting with AI use cases in 2024.[1]
  • 26% of aerospace organizations surveyed were researching AI’s potential in 2024.[1]
  • 26% of manufacturing enterprises using AI in the European Union used it to optimize production processes in 2024; aerospace manufacturing is included within the manufacturing sector.[3]
  • 61% of aerospace and defense respondents reported adopting AI automation in a 2024 manufacturing survey.[4]

Automation in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 11.12% of aerospace manufacturing respondents said none of their business processes were automated in 2023.[5]
  • 50% of aerospace-sector respondents used robotic manufacturing as a prototyping or manufacturing technology in 2025.[5]
  • 26.32% of aerospace manufacturing respondents said none of their business processes were automated in 2024.[5]
  • 0.28% of aerospace manufacturing respondents said all their business processes were automated in 2024.[5]
  • 1.88% of aerospace manufacturing respondents said all their business processes were automated in 2025.[5]
  • 51.51% of aerospace-sector respondents used 3D printing as a prototyping or manufacturing technology in 2023.[5]

Digital Transformation in the aerospace and defense sector (sector benchmark)

  • 83% of global aerospace and defense organizations agree that digital continuity is a key enabler of strategic business transformation, according to a 2025 survey.[2]
  • 60–70% of European aerospace and defense executives expect digital transformation to have a high or very high impact by 2028, while only 20–30% report advanced digital maturity today.[6]
  • 22% of global aerospace and defense companies reported having clean, structured data in a central repository ready for analysis in McKinsey’s digital-maturity study.[7]
  • 82% of global aerospace and defense organizations say digital-continuity investments help maintain a competitive edge, according to a 2025 survey.[2]
  • 30% of global aerospace and defense organizations had already reduced time to market through digital continuity, with an average 13% reduction, in 2025.[2]

Technology Adoption in the aerospace and defense sector (sector benchmark)

  • 31% of aerospace and defense manufacturers reported adopting generative AI in 2024.[4]
  • 41% of aerospace and defense manufacturers reported adopting predictive AI in 2024.[4]
  • 61% of aerospace and defense manufacturers reported adopting AI automation, the highest share among sectors surveyed in 2024.[4]
  • 30% of U.S. defense companies reported incorporating no AI into their defense products or services in the 2026 survey.[8]
  • 27% of aerospace and defense manufacturers reported adopting AI-powered industrial IoT in 2024.[4]

Cloud Computing in the aerospace and defense sector (sector benchmark)

  • 52% of European defense-industry executives ranked cloud computing among their top three technologies for augmenting production ramp-up in 2025.[2]
  • 60% of aerospace and defense companies expected better security from cloud adoption in Accenture’s survey.[9]
  • 38% of aerospace and defense companies had mature cloud practices and tools in place in Accenture’s survey.[9]
  • 20% of European defense-industry executives used cloud computing extensively across more than half of processes and activities in 2025.[2]
  • 44% of aerospace and defense companies had completed regulatory-compliance planning for cloud adoption, while 52% remained in the planning stage.[9]

Big Data in the aerospace and defense sector (sector benchmark)

  • 29% of aerospace and defense leaders said their enterprise data was standardized, governed and accessible in the 2026 digital-thread study.[10]
  • 29% of European defense-industry executives used data and analytics extensively across more than half of processes and activities in 2025.[2]
  • 15% of aerospace and defense companies used digital and analytics for procurement at scale in McKinsey’s study.[11]

05 Statistics

Data & Analytics

Data readiness shows a gap: 29% of aerospace and defense leaders reported enterprise data standardized, governed and accessible in 2026.

Business intelligence in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 22% of surveyed manufacturing companies used cloud artificial-intelligence systems in 2026, although the survey was not limited to aerospace manufacturers.[12]
  • 63% of surveyed manufacturing companies reported employing data or business-intelligence analysts in 2026, although the survey was not limited to aerospace manufacturers.[12]
  • 24% of surveyed manufacturing companies reported having a data product owner in 2026, although the survey was not limited to aerospace manufacturers.[12]
  • 50% of surveyed manufacturing companies used corporate analytics systems in 2026, although the survey was not limited to aerospace manufacturers.[12]
  • 19% of surveyed manufacturing companies reported having a chief data officer in 2026, although the survey was not limited to aerospace manufacturers.[12]
  • 26% of surveyed manufacturing companies reported having a data owner in 2026, although the survey was not limited to aerospace manufacturers.[12]

Data analytics in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 2% of surveyed MRO providers expected advanced predictive analytics and agentic AI for maintenance to generate ROI in less than one year in 2025.[13]
  • 44% of aerospace respondents identified data management, quality and governance as a rising technology focus area in 2023, up from 41% in 2022.[14]
  • 8% of surveyed SMB manufacturers used predictive modeling in Q1 2026, with aerospace, automotive and defense included as a reported sector grouping.[15]
  • 71% of surveyed aerospace, automotive and defense SMB manufacturers remained at a basic or operational-monitoring level of analytics maturity in Q1 2026.[15]
  • 26% of surveyed MRO providers expected advanced predictive analytics and agentic AI for maintenance to generate ROI within three to five years in 2025.[13]
  • 13% of surveyed MRO providers expected advanced predictive analytics and agentic AI for maintenance to generate ROI after more than five years in 2025.[13]

Data Quality in the aerospace and defense sector (sector benchmark)

  • 29% of aerospace and defense leaders said their enterprise data was standardized, governed and accessible in 2026, indicating that 71% lacked this level of data readiness.[16]
  • 32% of manufacturing leaders globally identified data-quality issues as a barrier to digital-twin adoption in 2025; aerospace respondents were included in the sector analysis.[17]
  • 68% of aerospace respondents rated data and technology adoption as a priority in 2025, compared with 61% across the overall manufacturing sample.[17]
  • 61% of manufacturing leaders globally said poor data quality limits their ability to adopt and optimize emerging technologies in 2025; aerospace respondents were included in the sector analysis.[17]

Data Governance in the aerospace and defense sector (sector benchmark)

  • 38% of defense contractors pursuing CMMC 2.0 Level 2 had comprehensive governance control and tracking systems in 2025, while 62% lacked them.[18]
  • 55% of security and defense firms used advanced security capabilities, including governance tracking and control, for internal sensitive-content communications in 2024.[18]
  • 42% of defense-organization respondents identified data governance and policies for sharing with external partners as a barrier to AI implementation in 2021.[19]
  • 48% of security and defense firms said they tagged and classified more than three-quarters of their unstructured data in 2024.[18]

KPIs in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 44.4% of respondents to the 2025 aerospace-manufacturing survey identified as engineers, providing the largest occupational group for an industry performance survey.[5]
  • 46.63% of respondents to the 2025 aerospace-manufacturing survey identified scaling up defense as a main current focus.[5]
  • 36.81% of respondents to the 2025 aerospace-manufacturing survey still considered supply-chain shortages an industry issue.[5]
  • 165 people from around the world responded to the 2025 aerospace-manufacturing survey, which included employees of Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, GE Aerospace and Rolls-Royce.[5]
  • 22% of surveyed aerospace and defense companies said they were effective at measuring and communicating the value of digital initiatives in 2020.[7]
  • 28% of surveyed aerospace and defense companies had a data-use vision or strategy aligned with business objectives in 2020.[7]

06 Statistics

Strategy & Growth

Backlogs and order intake drive production planning, including GE Aerospace’s $190 billion backlog at the end of 2025 after nearly $20 billion backlog growth.

Growth in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 32% was GE Aerospace’s year-over-year increase in total orders in 2025.[20]
  • 4.2% is the forecast annual growth rate of global airline traffic from 2024 to 2044.[21]
  • 793 commercial aircraft were delivered by Airbus to 91 customers worldwide in 2025, up 4% from 2024.[22]
  • $190 billion was GE Aerospace’s approximate backlog at the end of 2025, after backlog growth of nearly $20 billion during the year.[20]
  • 1,000 gross commercial aircraft orders were recorded by Airbus in 2025, producing 889 net orders.[22]
  • 8,754 commercial aircraft comprised Airbus’s year-end order backlog in 2025, a record level for the company.[22]

Differentiation in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 1,760 million Canadian dollars was invested in aerospace-manufacturing R&D in Canada in 2025, up 37.8% from 2024.[23]
  • 21% of Airbus’s aircraft and helicopter flights used sustainable aviation fuel in 2025.[22]
  • 193 A350 aircraft were included in Airbus’s 2025 gross commercial orders, highlighting demand for its widebody product line.[22]
  • 500 scientists, researchers and engineers worked at GE Aerospace’s Türkiye Technology Center.[20]
  • 2,700 employees worked at GE Aerospace manufacturing facilities and technology centers in India.[20]
  • 44 A220 aircraft were recorded as Airbus’s net orders in 2025, while 93 A220s were delivered.[22]

Mergers and acquisitions in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 1,000 employees work at the Airbus Kinston, North Carolina facility acquired from Spirit AeroSystems in 2025.[22]
  • 4,000 employees joined Airbus through its acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems commercial-aircraft work packages in 2025.[22]
  • $4.3 billion was the purchase price for GE’s acquisition of Avio’s aviation business.[20]
  • $7 billion in cash was allocated to finance GE Aerospace’s 2026 acquisition of Consolidated Precision Products.[20]
  • 18 times projected 2027 EBITDA was the valuation multiple including expected synergies for GE Aerospace’s proposed CPP acquisition.[20]
  • 26 times projected 2027 EBITDA was the valuation multiple excluding expected synergies for GE Aerospace’s proposed CPP acquisition.[20]

Strategic partnerships in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 50% was GE Aerospace’s ownership stake in CFM International, its joint venture with Safran Aircraft Engines, extended through 2040.[20]
  • Six decades was the duration of GE Aerospace’s collaboration with Türkiye by 2026, spanning defense, commercial aviation and precision manufacturing.[20]
  • $350 million over eight years was the Canadian government contribution supporting the Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology’s collaborative aerospace R&D network.[23]
  • 14,650 aircraft were powered by CFM56 engines across more than 650 operators in 2024.[20]
  • 1.3 billion engine flight hours had been accumulated by CFM International’s CFM56 and LEAP engine families by 2024.[20]
  • 10 collaborative R&D projects were supported by Canada’s Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology by 2025.[23]

07 Statistics

People & Workforce

Hiring demand concentrates in engineering, with 76% of surveyed A&D companies reporting their highest demand for new hires was in engineering in 2025.

Hiring in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 76% of surveyed A&D companies reported their highest demand for new hires was in engineering in 2025.[24]
  • 210,000 annual vacancies for assemblers and fabricators are projected in U.S. A&D-related occupations by 2033.[24]
  • 40% of surveyed A&D companies reported high demand for software engineering new hires in 2025.[24]
  • 43,000 annual vacancies for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers are projected in U.S. A&D-related occupations by 2033.[24]
  • 68% of surveyed A&D companies reported high demand for skilled manufacturing new hires in 2025.[24]

Employee retention in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 36% of surveyed A&D companies cited employees’ desire to switch industries or functions as a voluntary-departure driver in 2025.[24]
  • 15.9% was the 2024 attrition rate for non-exempt A&D employees surveyed by AIA.[24]
  • 24% of U.S. A&D manufacturing and engineering employees were aged 55 or older in the latest workforce profile.[24]
  • 17% was the A&D attrition rate in 2022, according to the 2025 industry workforce study.[24]
  • 60% of surveyed A&D companies cited employees’ desire for greater responsibility or leadership roles as a voluntary-departure driver in 2025.[24]

Remote Work in the aerospace and defense sector (sector benchmark)

  • Across U.S. Department of Defense civilian employees, 6% of recorded work hours were situational telework in calendar year 2024.[25]
  • Across U.S. Department of Defense civilian employees, 1.43% of recorded work hours were remote in calendar year 2024.[25]
  • Across U.S. Department of Defense civilian employees, 11.25% of recorded work hours were routine telework in calendar year 2024.[25]
  • Across U.S. Department of Defense civilian positions, approximately 65% to 68% were eligible for telework or remote work during the period reviewed through February 2025.[25]

Hybrid Work in the aerospace and defense sector (sector benchmark)

  • Across U.S. workers, 39% worked from home at least some of the time during the week before the Federal Reserve’s 2025 survey.[26]
  • Across U.S. Department of Defense civilian employees, 81.32% of recorded work hours were in-person in calendar year 2024, indicating limited hybrid-work utilization overall.[25]
  • Among U.S. remote-capable employees, 33% preferred exclusively remote work in November 2025.[27]
  • Among U.S. remote-capable employees, 61% preferred hybrid work in November 2025.[27]

Upskilling in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 28% of surveyed A&D companies invested in artificial-intelligence skills for reskilling in 2025.[24]
  • 36% of surveyed A&D companies invested in core trade skills for reskilling in 2025.[24]
  • 76% of surveyed A&D companies said engineering skills would be valuable in university or entry-level hires over the next four to five years.[24]
  • 54% of surveyed A&D companies increased total compensation as an attrition response in 2025.[24]
  • 88% of surveyed A&D companies said problem-solving skills would be valuable in university or entry-level hires over the next four to five years.[24]

Employee Engagement in the aerospace and defense sector (sector benchmark)

  • Across 25 aerospace and defense organizations, 16% did not measure employee engagement in 2024.[24]
  • Across 25 aerospace and defense organizations, 32% reported no change in employee engagement scores in 2024.[24]
  • Among NASA civil servants, the 2024 Employee Engagement Index was 84.4% positive across the U.S. space agency workforce.[28]
  • Across 25 aerospace and defense organizations, 44% reported better employee engagement scores in 2024 than during the prior year.[24]
  • Across 25 aerospace and defense organizations, 8% reported worse employee engagement scores in 2024 than during the prior year.[24]

DEI in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 21% of Airbus’s global workforce were women in the latest company disclosure.[22]
  • 22% of Airbus executive positions were held by women in the latest company disclosure.[22]

08 Statistics

Customer & Sales

Long-term purchasing contracts remain central, with StandardAero’s 2025 revenue coming 80% from customers covered by long-term agreements.

Customer experience in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 7.0/10 was Parker Aerospace’s 2020 overall satisfaction score among surveyed airline customers.[29]
  • 86.67% was Great Taiwan Gear’s aerospace-customer satisfaction result in 2024.[30]
  • 8.88/10 was Evergreen Aviation Technologies’ average customer-satisfaction score in 2025.[31]
  • 92 points was NAFCO Aerospace and Industrial Solutions’ average customer-satisfaction score in 2021.[32]
  • 100% was Great Taiwan Gear’s aerospace-customer satisfaction result in 2023.[30]

Customer retention in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • More than 24 years was Janicki Industries’ reported tenure as a Boeing supplier by 2023.[33]
  • StandardAero’s customer contracts had terms ranging from one to 30 years in 2025.[34]
  • 80% of StandardAero’s 2025 revenue came from customers covered by long-term agreements.[34]
  • 19% of HEICO’s consolidated net sales came from its five largest customers in fiscal 2024.[34]
  • 145% was Giddings & Lewis Machine Tools’ fiscal-2024 orders-to-sales ratio, driven partly by repeat U.S. Navy program orders.[34]

Customer acquisition in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 30 aviation-and-aerospace manufacturing quotes were recorded in Factur’s U.S. manufacturing sales dataset through October 2026.[35]
  • 38% of industrial-manufacturing respondents rated their direct brand website effective for acquisition.[36]
  • 78% of industrial-manufacturing respondents identified partner or channel marketing as important for acquisition.[36]
  • 45% of industrial-manufacturing respondents rated referrals effective for customer acquisition.[36]
  • 82% of industrial-manufacturing respondents identified in-person events, conferences and trade shows as important acquisition channels.[36]

Customer loyalty in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 74% of airline NPS promoters said they would forgive the airline for a mistake in the 2022 U.S. study.[37]
  • 7.0/10 was BAE Systems’ 2020 overall satisfaction score in the airline avionics-supplier survey.[38]
  • 6.8/10 was Bombardier’s 2020 overall satisfaction score in the airline aftermarket survey.[38]
  • 7.3/10 was Airbus’s 2020 likelihood-to-recommend-related overall satisfaction score among surveyed airlines.[38]
  • 4.1 times more likely were airline NPS promoters than detractors to forgive an airline for a mistake in the 2022 U.S. study.[37]

Lead generation in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 21% of Factur’s U.S. manufacturing quotes became purchase orders in the 12 months through October 2026.[35]
  • 33,856 live conversations resulted from Factur’s U.S. manufacturing prospecting calls in the 12 months through October 2026.[35]
  • 268 U.S. manufacturing purchase orders were generated by Factur prospecting in the 12 months through October 2026.[35]
  • 1,271 U.S. manufacturing quotes were generated by Factur prospecting in the 12 months through October 2026.[35]
  • 82% of Factur’s 1,271 U.S. manufacturing quotes came from email sequences through October 2026.[35]

09 Statistics

Marketing & Brand

Brand presence is measurable, including Boeing’s 4,246,468 LinkedIn followers in 2026 and Airbus’s 911,700 X account followers in 2026.

Marketing in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • $1.44 million was spent on advertising and promotion by Starfighters Space in 2025, United States.[39]
  • $1.761 million was spent on marketing by Vertical Aerospace in 2024, United Kingdom.[40]
  • $4.653 million was spent on marketing by Vertical Aerospace in 2025, United Kingdom.[40]
  • $273,142 was spent on advertising and marketing by Volatus Aerospace in the fourth quarter of 2025, Canada.[41]
  • $688,000 was spent on marketing by Vertical Aerospace in 2023, United Kingdom.[40]

Digital marketing in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 495 was the median number of Google keywords for industrial companies with tenured senior marketing leadership, including aerospace and defense firms, in 2025.[42]
  • 10% of aerospace and defense manufacturers used Google advertising, according to a 2025 analysis of nearly 600 industrial and manufacturing websites, United States and other markets.[42]
  • 338 was the median number of Google keywords for industrial companies that had recently hired a senior marketing leader, including aerospace and defense firms, in 2025.[42]
  • Companies with recently hired senior marketing leaders had twice the rate of near-invisibility in digital search compared with companies with tenured leaders in the 2025 industrial-manufacturing analysis.[42]
  • 27% of aerospace and defense manufacturers used LinkedIn, according to a 2025 analysis of nearly 600 industrial and manufacturing websites, United States and other markets.[42]

Branding in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 10% was the increase in total brand value among the 25 leading aerospace and defense brands in 2025, globally.[43]
  • $16.698 billion was Airbus's brand value in 2025, France and Europe.[44]
  • $10.977 billion was Lockheed Martin's brand value in 2025, United States.[44]
  • $13.970 billion was Lockheed Martin's brand value in 2026, ranking third among aerospace and defense brands globally.[44]
  • $6.267 billion was Northrop Grumman's brand value in 2025, United States.[44]

Social media in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 2.4 million followers were reported for Airbus's Instagram account in a 2023 comparison of Airbus and Boeing, global audience.[45]
  • 1.8 million followers were reported for Boeing's Instagram account in a 2023 comparison of Airbus and Boeing, global audience.[45]
  • Five posts per day was the average posting frequency for active aerospace and defense brands across social channels in 2025.[46]
  • 4,246,468 followers were recorded for Boeing's LinkedIn company page in 2026, global audience.[47]
  • 911,700 followers were recorded for Airbus's X account in 2026, global audience.[48]

Influencer Marketing in the aerospace and defense sector (sector benchmark)

  • 58% of B2B marketing leaders across six countries cited authenticity and credibility as criteria for selecting creators in 2025.[49]
  • 49% of B2B marketing leaders across six countries cited industry relevance as a criterion for selecting creators in 2025.[49]
  • 28% of B2B marketing leaders across six countries ranked thought leaders or industry analysts as the most effective influencer type in 2025.[49]
  • 55% of B2B marketing leaders across the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, India and Australia were using influencers in 2025.[49]
  • 76% of B2B marketing leaders across six countries believed creator collaborations build brand authenticity in 2025.[49]

10 Statistics

Operations & Execution

Automation is uneven: 15.63% of aerospace-manufacturing survey respondents reported no business-process automation in 2025.

Process optimization in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 15.63% of aerospace-manufacturing survey respondents reported that none of their business processes were automated in 2025 globally.[5]
  • 54.19% of aerospace-manufacturing survey respondents used artificial intelligence for administrative duties in 2025 globally.[5]
  • 1.88% of aerospace-manufacturing survey respondents reported that all their manufacturing services were automated in 2025 globally.[5]
  • 49.03% of aerospace-manufacturing survey respondents used artificial intelligence as a virtual assistant in 2025 globally.[5]
  • 54.32% of aerospace-manufacturing survey respondents used CNC machining in 2025 globally.[5]

Operational efficiency in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • U.S. aerospace and defense industry supply-chain contributions totaled $439 billion in 2024.[24]
  • Boeing delivered 600 commercial airplanes in 2025, including 447 737s, 30 767s, 35 777s and 88 787s.[50]
  • 914,000 direct jobs were recorded across the U.S. aerospace and defense industry in 2024.[24]
  • U.S. aerospace and defense industry economic value reached $443 billion in 2024.[24]
  • Aerospace products and parts manufacturing labor productivity fell 7.0% in the United States in 2024.[51]

Quality management in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 54.66% of aerospace-manufacturing survey respondents identified speed as a key factor in designing and manufacturing parts in 2025 globally.[5]
  • 64% of aerospace-manufacturing survey respondents identified quality as the overriding factor in designing and manufacturing parts in 2023 globally.[5]
  • 47.47% of aerospace-manufacturing survey respondents considered certification very important when working with manufacturing partners in 2023 globally.[5]
  • 68.13% of aerospace-manufacturing survey respondents considered certification very important when working with manufacturing partners in 2025 globally.[5]
  • 36.65% of aerospace-manufacturing survey respondents identified automation as a key factor in designing and manufacturing parts in 2025 globally.[5]

Supply chain in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • More than 70% of European aerospace companies surveyed in 2026 felt ready for the current production ramp-up.[52]
  • The aerospace order backlog reached 17,010 aircraft in August 2026, representing more than 12 years of work for the UK aerospace supply chain.[52]
  • Around 70% of companies in the 2026 European aerospace supply-chain survey were small or medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 1,000 employees.[52]
  • Supply-chain challenges were estimated to cost the airline industry more than $11 billion in 2025.[38]
  • The aircraft order backlog surpassed 17,000 aircraft in 2025, equivalent to almost 60% of the active fleet.[38]

Outsourcing / Offshoring in the aerospace and defense sector (sector benchmark)

  • 53% of aerospace and defense executives expected to reshore or nearshore their suppliers, on average, within the following three years, in 2022.[53]
  • 23.35% of aerospace survey respondents reported manufacturing 51–75% of components in-house, in 2023.[5]
  • 21.35% of aerospace survey respondents reported manufacturing less than 25% of components in-house, indicating highly outsourced production, in 2023.[5]
  • Nearly 60% of US aerospace and defense companies were considering localization strategies, while 15% had developed or navigated reshoring or onshoring strategies, in 2025.[24]
  • 46% of aerospace companies reported that most supply-chain expenditures were concentrated within their own region, including neighboring countries, in 2024.[54]

11 Statistics

Finance & Pricing

Margins vary across the base, with the aerospace and defense industry showing a 21.88% gross margin for FY2025 and a 7.77% operating margin for FY2024.

Pricing strategy in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • €77.4 billion was Airbus commercial-aircraft order intake in 2024, indicating the scale of customer demand supporting OEM pricing and contract negotiations.[22]
  • $5 million, or 3.1%, was the 2024 impact of higher material, labor and manufacturing costs net of higher pricing at Curtiss-Wright’s aerospace and advanced technologies operations.[34]
  • 50% of the aircraft-manufacturing escalation index consisted of wages and salaries in a 2022 aircraft-cost escalation analysis for the aerospace sector.[55]
  • 11% was Embraer’s 2024 net-revenue growth, supported by increased aircraft deliveries and a portfolio mix with higher added value across its aerospace businesses.[56]
  • $65 million, or 31.1%, was the operating-profit benefit from higher volume, net price and productivity gains in Curtiss-Wright aerospace and advanced technologies in 2025.[40]

Cost reduction in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 33% to 42% of the aerospace and defense industrial base was assessed as unable or unwilling to meet production-ramp timelines at three to four times current rates in 2026.[57]
  • $29 million was the 2025 productivity contribution at Curtiss-Wright’s aerospace and advanced technologies operations, despite higher material, labor and tariff costs.[40]
  • $22.7 million, or 14.3%, was the 2024 operating-profit contribution from productivity gains at Curtiss-Wright’s aerospace and industrial businesses.[34]
  • $29 million, or 5.0%, was the productivity gain that partly offset higher manufacturing costs in Curtiss-Wright Aerospace & Advanced Technologies in 2025.[40]
  • $40 million, or 8.1%, was the increase in material, labor and other manufacturing costs at Curtiss-Wright in 2024, partly offset by productivity gains.[34]

Profitability in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 11.1% was Embraer’s 2024 adjusted EBIT margin, up from 6.5% in 2023 after higher deliveries and improved operational efficiency.[56]
  • 21.88% was the FY2025 gross margin for the aerospace and defense industry in CSIMarket’s audited-filing aggregation.[58]
  • 5.11% was the FY2024 free-cash-flow margin for the aerospace and defense industry in CSIMarket’s audited-filing aggregation.[58]
  • 7.77% was the FY2024 operating margin for the aerospace and defense industry in CSIMarket’s audited-filing aggregation.[58]
  • 5.4% was Embraer’s 2024 net margin, based on net income attributed to the company of BRL 1.9 billion.[56]

Financial planning in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • $676 million was Embraer’s 2024 free cash flow excluding Eve, exceeding the company’s financial projection for the year.[56]
  • €3.15 billion was Airbus’s self-financed R&D expense in 2025, down 3% from 2024 while the company continued product-development investment.[22]
  • €618.8 billion was Airbus’s order book at December 31, 2025, including €61.4 billion for defense activities.[22]
  • €4.57 billion was Airbus’s 2025 free cash flow before customer financing, up from €4.46 billion in 2024.[22]
  • €628.9 billion was Airbus’s order book at December 31, 2024, including €55.4 billion for defense activities.[22]

12 Statistics

Product & Service

Aftermarket and installed-base economics matter, including GE Aerospace’s more than 40 years of civil engine program lifecycle and 74% of 2024 commercial equipment and services revenue coming from services.

Product development in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 15% to 20% was Safran’s planned increase in LEAP engine deliveries for 2025 compared with 2024.[59]
  • $6 billion was Boeing’s combined research and development and capital expenditure investment in 2024 in the United States.[21]
  • $67 million was Boeing Global Services’ research and development expense in the first six months of 2024.[50]
  • $1.82 billion was Boeing’s net research and development expense in the first six months of 2024 worldwide.[50]
  • $3.25 billion was Airbus’s research and development expense in 2024 worldwide.[22]

Product lifecycle in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 1,313 total LTSA shop visits were completed by Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace in 2024 worldwide.[60]
  • 18,400 aircraft are forecast to retire by 2045, creating aircraft dismantling and used-serviceable-material opportunities worldwide.[22]
  • 50% of LEAP-1A engines in service had GE Aerospace’s reverse bleed system installed by the end of 2025.[20]
  • More than 40 years is the potential span of a civil aircraft engine program’s lifecycle, according to Safran.[59]
  • More than 2.3 billion commercial flight hours were represented by GE Aerospace’s installed engine base by 2025.[20]

After-sales in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • Approximately 70,000 commercial and military engines formed GE Aerospace’s installed base in 2024.[20]
  • 27,000 aircraft of all types were supported by Airbus aftermarket services in 2024.[61]
  • €5.1 billion was MTU Aero Engines’ adjusted commercial-maintenance revenue in 2024.[62]
  • $5.9 billion was Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace services revenue in 2024 worldwide.[60]
  • 74% of GE Aerospace Commercial Engines & Services’ 2024 commercial equipment and services revenue came from services.[20]

Value proposition in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 3.8% is Airbus’s forecast compound annual growth rate for the commercial aviation services market from 2026 to 2045.[22]
  • $422 billion is Airbus’s forecast for the global commercial aviation services market in 2045.[22]
  • $26.3 billion was Embraer’s total aircraft and services backlog in 2024.[56]
  • 2.44 million new aviation professionals will be required by 2045, according to Airbus’s services forecast.[22]
  • 49,000 aircraft is Airbus’s forecast size for the global commercial fleet by 2044.[22]

13 Statistics

Sustainability & Ethics

Sustainability targets are set against measurable baselines, including Airbus’ titanium revert loop that recycled 400 tonnes of titanium production waste in 2024.

Sustainability in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 50% is Rolls-Royce’s target for reducing energy consumption normalized by revenue by 2025 from 2014 levels.[60]
  • 400 tonnes of titanium production waste were recycled through Airbus’ titanium revert loop in 2024 in France.[22]
  • 90% of constituent aircraft parts by mass can be recovered or recycled when Airbus aircraft reach the end of serviceable life.[22]
  • 25% is Rolls-Royce’s target for reducing solid and liquid waste normalized by revenue by 2025 from 2014 levels.[60]
  • 25% was the estimated efficiency gain of latest-generation Airbus commercial aircraft compared with previous generations in 2024 globally.[63]

ESG in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 51,500,327 pounds of operational waste were generated by Lockheed Martin in 2024.[64]
  • 218,819 metric tons of CO2e were Lockheed Martin’s 2024 employee-commuting emissions.[64]
  • 28,018,758 pounds of Lockheed Martin operational waste were recycled in 2024.[64]
  • 46% is Airbus’ target reduction in commercial-aircraft-in-service Scope 3 emissions intensity by 2035 from its 2015 baseline.[22]
  • 284,291 metric tons of CO2e were Lockheed Martin’s 2024 business-travel emissions.[64]

Ethics in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 338 employees was the average coverage per appointed Airbus Ethics and Compliance Representative in 2023.[22]
  • 96% of Airbus employees completed the Ethics and Compliance training objective in 2023.[22]
  • 719 Airbus executives completed anti-corruption and anti-bribery training in 2024.[22]
  • 866 Airbus executives were in scope for anti-corruption and anti-bribery training in 2024.[22]
  • 4,866 highly exposed Airbus employees completed enhanced anti-corruption training in 2024.[22]

CSR in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 25% of Airbus’ workforce was covered by ISO 45001 or similar health-and-safety certification in 2022.[22]
  • 29% of Airbus sites with more than 100 employees had undergone social assessments by 2022.[22]
  • 160,000 Boeing employees received required safety and quality training in 2024 worldwide.[21]
  • 100% of Airbus human-rights investigations were completed or in progress in 2022.[22]
  • 286,815 health and safety training hours were delivered by Airbus in 2022.[22]

Circular economy in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 22,290 tonnes of Airbus waste went to other recovery operations in 2024.[63]
  • 90% of an Airbus aircraft’s constituent parts by mass can be recovered or recycled at end of serviceable life.[22]
  • 38,364 tonnes of Airbus operational waste were directed to disposal in 2024.[63]
  • 2,930,025 pounds of Lockheed Martin waste went to incineration with energy recovery in 2024.[64]
  • 38,018 cubic metres of water were recycled or reused by Airbus in 2024.[63]

Carbon footprint in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 143 kilotonnes of CO2e were Rolls-Royce’s operations and facility emissions in 2024.[60]
  • 301 kilotonnes of CO2e were Rolls-Royce’s combined operations, facilities and product-test emissions in 2024.[60]
  • 2.18 million tonnes of CO2e were Rolls-Royce’s estimated 2024 Scope 3 purchased-goods-and-services emissions.[60]
  • 254,000 metric tons of CO2e were Boeing’s 2023 business-travel emissions.[65]
  • 764,000 metric tons of CO2e were Boeing’s 2023 location-based Scope 2 emissions.[65]

15 Statistics

Globalization & Expansion

International sourcing and customer reach remain core, including Boeing serving customers in 150 countries and Airbus having around 1,000 suppliers supporting its Canada operations.

Globalization in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • Around 1,000 suppliers support Airbus operations in Canada, with more than half being small and medium-sized companies.[22]
  • 150 countries are served by Boeing’s commercial, defense and space products and services, according to the company’s current global-presence profile.[21]
  • More than 65 countries host Boeing employees, with approximately 182,000 employees worldwide.[21]
  • 20,000+ suppliers and partners form Boeing’s global network.[21]
  • 50 international university partnerships are included in Boeing’s global partnership network.[21]

Cultural adaptation in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 65 countries host Boeing locations included in the company’s international careers network.[74]
  • 51% of surveyed employees in Europe’s aeronautics, defense and space ecosystem said they were unaware of their company’s equality, diversity and inclusion policies.[75]
  • 18% of Airbus employees are from non-founding countries.[22]
  • 20+ languages are present within Airbus’s workforce.[22]
  • 170+ nationalities are represented among Airbus employees.[22]

Supplier management in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • 45% of commercial-aerospace executives reported using supplier portals to address supplier issues and risks.[9]
  • 42% of commercial-aerospace executives reported giving suppliers direct access to supply-chain planning and execution systems.[9]
  • An average U.S. commercial aerospace OEM has more than 200 tier-1 suppliers.[76]
  • 1,032 domestic and international suppliers and subcontractors had stable partnerships with Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation in 2024.[31]
  • 55% of commercial-aerospace executives reported using manual coordination and periodic audits to address supplier issues and risks.[9]

Stakeholder management in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • Nearly 60,000 job-years were supported by Airbus activities in Canada from 2023 to 2025.[22]
  • 150 countries contain Boeing customers, including airlines and U.S.-allied government customers.[21]
  • 19,000+ customers are served by Boeing Global Services.[77]
  • 18,900 direct employees work in Boeing Global Services worldwide.[77]
  • 14,000+ Boeing airplanes are in the global fleet, connecting the company with airline and government customers worldwide.[21]

Distribution channels in the aerospace manufacturing industry

  • Over 5,300 Airbus employees support the company’s Canadian industrial and customer-facing presence.[22]
  • Around 1,000 suppliers support Airbus’s Canadian operations and related local distribution ecosystem.[22]
  • More than 14,000 Boeing airplanes are currently in the global fleet.[21]
  • More than 70% of Boeing’s backlog is represented by customers outside the United States, indicating a predominantly international sales channel.[21]
  • Approximately 90 countries are part of Airbus’s footprint, supporting international procurement and delivery channels.[22]

Key questions about the aerospace manufacturing industry

What is the latest market size for aerospace manufacturing in the U.S.?
The U.S. aerospace and defense industry generated more than $995 billion in sales in 2024, based on the Aerospace Industries Association reporting.
How fast is demand expected to grow for commercial aircraft through the forecast window?
Airbus forecasts demand for 43,420 passenger and freighter aircraft from 2025 to 2044, with passenger traffic projected to grow at a 3.6% CAGR through 2044.
Which companies lead the aerospace manufacturing industry?
GE Aerospace stands out for aircraft engine technology because its engines and partner technology power nearly one million people in the air at any time, while Boeing focuses on commercial aircraft delivery since it delivered 600 commercial airplanes in 2025 and ended the year with a $682 billion backlog.
Where are digital and AI shifts showing up in aerospace manufacturing practices?
In 2024, 35% of aerospace respondents were researching AI’s potential and 44% were experimenting with AI use cases. In 2026, 60%–70% of European executives expected high or very high digital transformation impact by 2028.
How concentrated is large-aircraft manufacturing between OEMs?
Commercial large-aircraft manufacturing is highly concentrated between Airbus and Boeing, with Airbus delivering 793 commercial aircraft in 2025 and Boeing delivering 585 for 1,378 deliveries together.
What supply-chain constraints most affect delivery risk in 2026?
Manufacturers face supply-chain constraints including engine shortages and production bottlenecks, and Airbus identified Pratt & Whitney engine shortages as a 2026 delivery risk.
Reference

Cite This Report

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APA
Samuel Norberg. (2026, November 10). Aerospace Manufacturing Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/aerospace-manufacturing-industry-statistics
MLA
Samuel Norberg. "Aerospace Manufacturing Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 10 Nov 2026, https://gitnux.org/aerospace-manufacturing-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Samuel Norberg. 2026. "Aerospace Manufacturing Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/aerospace-manufacturing-industry-statistics.

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