Airbus keeps pole spot as airliner output rises

Airbus and Boeing have both seen a slight year-on-year increase in output during the first half of 2004.

The manufacturers delivered 312 aircraft between January and June, compared with 294 last year, representing a 6.1% increase. By comparison, output in the first half of last year had tumbled by almost a quarter from over 380 deliveries in January-June 2002 as the post-11 September production cutbacks bit.

Airbus again leads in output, having delivered 161 aircraft, against 151 from its US rival. Airbus delivered about 8% more aircraft during the first half, compared with last year's period, while Boeing recorded a 4% increase.

Preliminary order data suggests sales are down substantially on the first six months of last year, with the two companies having taken 178 orders, compared with 284 in 2003.

Airbus, which has released its half-year data, secured 100 net orders (104 gross), compared with 175 net orders in the 2003 period. Boeing has not published half-year order data, but its net order tally for the period is 78.

The two manufacturers are planning to deliver around 580 aircraft for the whole of this year - a similar level to 2003. Output is set to rise next year for the first time since 2001, with Airbus having already announced an increase in A320 family production.

* A full analysis of the figures will be published in next week's Flight International.

MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / LONDON

Source: Flight International