The demand for aircraft has significantly influenced factory orders in recent months, with notable increases observed in both the United States and Germany. In December 2024, U.S. factory orders declined by 0.9%, primarily due to a decrease in bookings for civilian aircraft. However, excluding transportation equipment, factory orders rose by 0.3%, indicating underlying strength in other manufacturing sectors
Conversely, Germany experienced a substantial rise in industrial orders in December 2024, with a 6.9% increase from the previous month, surpassing analysts’ expectations. This growth was largely driven by large-scale orders for aircraft, ships, trains, and military vehicles, particularly a 55.5% surge in the vehicle and vessel manufacturing sector (excluding cars).
The robust demand for aircraft has been a significant contributor to these positive trends in factory orders. In the U.S., the aerospace sector has seen substantial growth, with commercial aircraft orders playing a pivotal role in boosting manufacturing activity.
Similarly, in Germany, the aerospace industry has been a key driver of industrial orders, with large-scale aircraft orders contributing to the overall increase in manufacturing activity.
The strong performance of the aerospace sector underscores the critical role of aircraft demand in shaping factory orders and manufacturing trends. As the global economy continues to recover, the aerospace industry’s growth is expected to remain a significant factor influencing manufacturing activity and factory orders worldwide.