Manufacturers see strong sales during third quarter
Airbus and Boeing have arrested a two-year decline in their combined order backlog during the third quarter (Q3) of this year, as net sales outstripped production.
The manufacturers had a surge in sales during Q3, with their quarterly total of 199 exceeding the intake during the whole of the first half of the year (186). Boeing had a very strong quarter - helped by the first firm 7E7 sales - taking 114 orders, while Airbus sold 85 aircraft.
The US manufacturer also out-produced its rival in Q3, delivering 67 aircraft to Airbus's 63. However, the latter remains on course to top the annual deliveries ranking with over 300 forecast for the whole of the year, against Boeing's planned 280-290.
With the two companies recording eight cancellations, their Q3 net total of 191 orders - against 130 deliveries - pushed the combined order backlog up by 3% to 2,491 units over the half year figure. Although this is an encouraging sign given that their backlog has been in decline since 2002, it is still lower than the year-end 2003 total of 2,560 aircraft.
MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / LONDON
Source: Flight International
