American Aerospace giant Boeing bounces back, logs impressive mid-year delivery tally.
As June unfolded, Boeing, the American aerospace giant, bounced back from manufacturing glitches to dispatch 60 commercial airliners, marking a 23% uptick in deliveries compared to the corresponding period last year. Consequently, Boeing's mid-year tally rose to 266 aircraft, notwithstanding persistent production hiccups.
Notwithstanding these obstacles, the firm remains steadfast in its pursuit of annual objectives: delivering no fewer than 400 single-aisle 737s and 70 dual-aisle 787 Dreamliners this year. The company's first-half scorecard revealed 216 737s and 31 Dreamliners delivered to customers.
June saw 48 of Boeing's top-selling 737 MAXs delivered, an upswing from the 35 MAXs handed over in May. Additionally, Boeing's June docket included the delivery of four 767s, six 787 Dreamliners, one 777 freighter, and one 737 destined for a transformation into a P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for South Korea.
June's delivery volume marks a notable peak since March when 64 jets left Boeing's hands before a 737 bracket installation issue surfaced in April, hindering second-quarter dispatches.
However, the American firm still trails its transatlantic competitor, Airbus. The European manufacturer delivered 316 aircraft in the first semester, including 72 in June alone, as it aims for an ambitious goal of 720 aircraft this year.
Stan Deal, the chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, asserted in June that the company anticipates elevating its MAX production from the existing rate of 31 aircraft per month to 38 in the immediate future. However, he cautioned that each increase could stir turbulence within the supply chain.
In terms of orders, Boeing ended June on a high note, tallying 288 net orders after considering cancellations and conversions. The book was dominated by a colossal order from Air India: 190 MAXs, 20 Dreamliners, and 10 mini-jumbo 777X jets. Boeing also confirmed a prior order for 39 Dreamliners from the newly established Saudi airline, Riyadh Air.
During the first half of 2023, Boeing secured orders for 415 aircraft after adjusting for cancellations. This stands in stark contrast to Airbus' more robust order book, with 1,044 net orders thanks to a major boost from a 500 jet order from India's budget carrier, IndiGo.
