Boeing's efforts to stretch production capacity has left it facing the challenge of delivering up to 182 aircraft over the last three months of the year if it is to meet its predicted delivery tally of 550 aircraft in 1998.
According to third quarter delivery figures released by the company, 123 new Boeing aircraft (including Douglas products) were handed over between July and the end of September. The bulk of these were Next Generation 737s, which accounted for 41 of the total, with "Classic" 737s making up a further 25. Other deliveries included 11 747s, 12 757s, 11 767s, 15 777s, two MD-80s, four MD-90s and two MD-11s.
The third quarter figures took deliveries of all aircraft for the first nine months of the year to 368, leaving Boeing with a further 182 deliveries to achieve by the end of the year if the manufacturer is to reach the target.
Meanwhile, the number of undelivered aircraft held in storage has steadily crept up with a total of 36 now awaiting financing. These include 10 "Classic" 737s, eight Next Generation 737s, nine 747-400s, one 767, three 777s and five MD-90s.
Boeing says that the "-majority of these aircraft are awaiting final customer-financing arrangements, most of which are expected to occur in the fourth quarter".
Source: Flight International
