Delivers 290 Planes In 2005, Airbus Expects As Many As 370

Boeing announced Tuesday it delivered 73 commercial airplanes in the fourth quarter of 2005, for a yearly total of 290. That number is up slightly from 2004 -- but alas, it also means Boeing will likely still settle for #2 for 2005, its third straight year behind archrival Airbus.

The number #1 ranking is based not on order count, but rather on aircraft out the door -- and Airbus, with 271 airplanes delivered through the third quarter of 2005, expects to deliver as many as 370 aircraft for the year.

While it may be small comfort, Boeing's Seattle-based commercial airline division was able to deliver more planes in 2005 than in preceding years -- five more than in 2004, nine more than 2003. With over 1,000 orders on the books this year alone, deliveries should increase dramatically in the next few years.

As usual, the bulk of Boeing's deliveries for the year were the venerable 737, with 212 of those aircraft delivered.

Continuing economic malaise among domestic carriers -- combined with a four-week-long machinist strike in September -- held Boeing back for the year, according to industry reports -- but 2006 is expected to be better.

As was reported in Aero-News, Airbus is expected to announce its 2005 totals -- for both orders, and deliveries -- by the end of the month. While many still expect Boeing to come out ahead for the year on orders, Airbus has stated they will come closer to Boeing's total than some might think -- which will likely mean several close races for years to come.

FMI: www.boeing.com