Combined bookings for major manufacturers surge
Airbus and Boeing’s combined orders this year have passed the 1,000 mark, with the two manufacturers closing deals for 340 aircraft in the third quarter alone. Boeing has extended its lead over Airbus in orders, while it trails its rival in output.
Boeing’s net-order tally for the quarter stands at 199 aircraft, giving it a healthy lead over Airbus’s 139 orders. Both manufacturers saw strong bookings for narrowbody types, with over 100 orders each for the A320 and 737 families during the quarter. Boeing’s performance was helped by a significant number of orders for its 777 and a revival by the 767.
The total of 1,023 orders taken during the first nine months represents an almost threefold increase on the 370 orders taken during the same period last year, although it was Airbus that led the way.
Airbus continued to lead Boeing in output in the third quarter, delivering 82 against its rival’s 62. However the Boeing strike affected the US manufacturer’s September shipments. Total deliveries for the year stand at 488, a 10% increase on the 2004 period. The two manufacturers have projected a combined output of just under 700 aircraft for the full year.
The combined order backlog has passed 3,100 aircraft – the highest since the turn of the century. Airbus still holds the advantage with a 52% share, but Boeing is gradually closing the gap.
MAX KINGSLEY-JONES/LONDON
Source: Flight International
