Fri, Apr 03, 2009
Goal Is To Build 485 Planes For Year... Hopefully, No "White
Tails"
Despite significant layoffs and the continuing efforts to
recover from a crippling machinists strike last year, Boeing posted
an impressive 5.2 percent gain in the number of commercial airliner
deliveries in the first quarter of this year, over 2008 levels.
The American planemaker delivered 121 new aircraft to commercial
clients in the first three months of 2009, according to figures
released Thursday. Of that total, 91 aircraft were 737 narrowbodies
-- both the biggest seller for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, as well
as the quickest plane for workers to build.
Next on the list was the 777 widebody, Boeing's most profitable
aircraft line with 23 deliveries so far for the year.
The planemaker also delivered four 747-400 cargo planes -- due
to be phased out over the next three years in favor of the upcoming
747-8 -- and three 767s.
Bloomberg reports the planemaker aims to deliver between 480-485
commercial aircraft this year, which would be a record total for
Boeing. Aircraft manufacturers are not paid the full contract price
until planes are delivered... so the impetus is on Boeing to move
planes out the doors in Everett, Renton and Seattle.
That may become problematic in coming months, however... as
customers are expected to cancel existing orders due to the
sluggish economy. So far in 2009, Boeing has received 28 new orders
for the year, against 32 order cancellations to date. Analysts have
expressed doubts whether Boeing and rival Airbus will be able to
make it the year without the need to park "white tails" --
completed aircraft with no customers assigned to them.
Over on the military side, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
delivered 10 F/A-18s, five new-build Apaches, three C-17
Cargomasters and one 767 Tanker.
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