Airbus takes lead in deliveries battle

MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / LONDON

Boeing falls behind in output for first time in history

Airbus has out-produced Boeing during a half-year period for the first time in its history, delivering 149 aircraft during the first six months of 2003 against 145 for the US manufacturer. This marks a watershed for the European company, which delivered its first aircraft in 1974, and confirms earlier forecasts that it is on course to hand over more aircraft this year than Boeing.

Airbus has been outselling Boeing in recent years, but until now it has always been beaten in output, which its US rival says is the true measure of market share.

Output has fallen by 25% compared with the same period last year, while orders were up over 10%, with Airbus winning the larger share. The fall in deliveries was largely due to Boeing's reduction in output, which saw its shipments drop by a third during the first six months (H1) compared with the same period last year. Boeing is targeting a total output of 280 aircraft for 2003, compared with 380 last year. Production at Boeing's Renton plant (737 and 757) fell by 37%, while widebody shipments from the Everett factory were down 30%.

Airbus's H1 output fell from 160 last year to 149, as it heads for a similar 12-month tally to last year's 303.

In order terms, the companies have switched positions compared with last year's H1, with Airbus taking 65% of gross sales. While Airbus almost doubled its H1 orders from 107 to 199, it had 25 cancellations.

Boeing saw gross sales fall from 166 to 108, but its net tally increased to 109 after order adjustments. Boeing's tally includes the All Nippon Airways deal for 45 737s that was finalised at the end of June, but excludes 28 737s for AirTran Airways that were ordered this month.

Although total output exceeded net orders in H1 as it did last year, the margin was substantially reduced compared with 2002's H1. The overall backlog for the two manufacturers dropped slightly (10 units) to 2,647 aircraft, compared with the 2002 year-end tally, with Airbus holding the larger share (58%).

Source: Flight International