Boeing reports record aircraft orders in 2006 marking opening salvo of annual orders competition

^{& Max Kingsley-Jones}

Boeing booked an unprecedented 1,044 commercial aircraft orders in 2006, 42 units more than its record setting 2005. The airframer's deliveries also rose by over one third to make 2006 the highest output year since 2001.

The order total, which increases to 1,050 aircraft if cancellations and conversions are excluded, should put Boeing solidly ahead of European rival Airbus, which has claimed market share dominance of annual sales in five of the past seven years.

Boeing’s 2006 performance was supported by its 737 program, which accounted for 729, almost 70%, of the manufacturer’s net orders. This is the second consecutive record sales year for the narrowbody, which raised 569 orders in 2005.

In a statement today Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive Scott Carson notes: “2006 was another outstanding year for our customers and for Boeing. Beyond the order totals, we are very excited about the breadth and depth of our 2006 order book.

“We have secured significant orders from customers around the globe and across our product line as we continue to build a strong, well-balanced backlog.”

Widebody sales included 157 order for the 787series if aircraft. Boeing 777 accounted for 76 orders while a further 10 went to the 767 programme.

Boeing’s 747 program, which was relaunched in 2006, also booked 72 orders, the highest total for the aircraft since 1990 and fifth highest in the history of the programme.

“The strong orders for the past two years are a validation of our strategy of focusing on our customers, simplifying our product and services offerings and transforming our production system,” says Carson. “We’re bringing the right products and services to the market at the right time, and we remain intensely focused on our customers, on delivering on our promises and on addressing the needs of the marketplace.”

Airbus is expected to release its 2006 order tally on January 17.

Boeing’s deliveries rose by 37% last year from 290 aircraft to 398. This is the US airframer’s highest output level since 2001, when it delivered 527 aircraft.

Much of the growth in shipments has been driven by the 737, with deliveries increasing to 302. Production of the 777 has increased by over 60%, from 40 aircraft in 2005 to 65 last year.

The strong sales performance has pushed Boeing’s backlog to a record high of 2,455 – up by a third on the 1,809 total at the end of 2005. The 737 family remains the strongest performer, with 1,560 unfilled orders, followed by the 787 with 448 sales.

Source: FlightGlobal.com