Boeing delivered 50 fewer aircraft than planned in the first quarter of this year due to the effect of the recently settled engineers and technical workers' strike that gripped the company for 40 days.
The impact of the strike was revealed when Boeing reported the first quarter delivery of 75 commercial aircraft, including one 747-400 which is to be converted to the US Air Force's Airborne Laser testbed. Boeing had planned to deliver 125 aircraft during the three months and is trying to catch up on the original year-end target.
"The company expects to recover from the strike delays and deliver about 490 jetliners, as planned, by the end of the year," says Boeing.
After the strike ended on 20 March, Boeing accelerated some deliveries, which brought the total for March to 15. First quarter deliveries comprised three 717s, the last two 737-300 Classics, 39 Next Generation 737s, four 747-400s, ten 757-200/300s, five 767s, ten 777s and two MD-11s.
Meanwhile, Boeing has joined the fuselage sections of the first 737-900, the longest version of the twinjet so far. Designed and built by Boeing's Wichita plant, the single-piece fuselage will be transported this month to its Renton final assembly plant near Seattle.
Source: Flight International