Boeing delivered 281 airliners in 2003, the first time the US manufacturer delivered fewer aircraft than its European rival Airbus. The bulk were 737s, which accounted for 173 deliveries. Boeing's commercial aircraft deliveries have fallen off sharply in recent years. The company's 2002 delivery count totalled 381 commercial aircraft, down from 527 in 2001. Airbus is expected to announce this week that it delivered just over 300 aircraft in 2003, giving the company a 53% share of deliveries of airliners with more than 100 seats. Meanwhile, Canadian low-fare carrier WestJet has ordered seven new 737-700s to add to its all-737 fleet, for delivery in 2005.
Source: Flight International
