The Aerospace sector is worth £42.2 billion to the UK economy, supports 443,000 jobs and is seeing rising productivity according to trade association ADS.

Latest numbers on the sector were released this week at the biennial Paris Air Show showing it has grow by two thirds in a decade and now turns over £100 billion.

ADS’s figures cover both the commercial and defence aerospace sectors as well as the emerging space industry and the show the sector is providing jobs across the country.

Two third of jobs are based outside London and the south east and productivity was fund to be 42% higher than the UK average, and up 70% in the last decade.

In the last decade UK aerospace exports have grown by almost half and now account for £45.4 billion, 45% of the sector’s total turnover.

Kevin Craven, chief executive of ADS, which represents 1,500 businesses and owns the Farnborough Air Show, said:

“Against and increasing backdrop of geopolitical instability, the UK aerospace, defence, security and space sectors remain the industrial bedrock of our advanced manufacturing landscape.

“In what is our most fruitful economic outlook to date – reflecting contributions of over £42 billion to the UK economy and employing over 440,000 people across the UK – our sectors remain central to the prosperity of our nation.

“There is now a real opportunity to build on this momentum throughout 2025. However, persistent challenges around the geopolitical environment, access to finance, and ongoing supply chain disruption constrain our industry’s enormous potential.

“It is vital that the government provides the clarity and certainty needed to secure the long term prosperity of our industries. We eagerly await the Industry Strategy and correlated Sector Development Plans to support industry in delivering on our true value to the UK economy.”

Sarah Jones, industry government minister, said: “Our aerospace, defence, security and space sectors are world-class and this data shows just how important they are to the economy, supporting thousands of good, high-skilled jobs and keeping us at the cutting edge of innovation.

“That’s why our modern industry strategy will back these sectors to reach new heights and give investors the certainty they need for the next decade and beyond.”