Planemaker Is Tracking More Sales Than '05 Record

An order for 32 737-800s from Irish low-cost-carrier Ryanair Thursday helped Boeing reach an significant milestone, and perhaps propelled the Chicago-based planemaker closer to another. With the Ryanair order, Boeing has sold more than 500 of the popular narrowbody planes (503, to be exact) for the second consecutive year.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports Boeing also added eight more orders for the upcoming 787 Dreamliner to its online order tally Thursday... two to an existing customer, and six for a new -- and as-yet unknown -- customer. The latest Dreamliner sales give Boeing 110 net 787 orders for 2006.

Here's where it gets interesting, though... including these new orders, Boeing has received 666 net orders for 2006. Despite the ominous nature of that number, we doubt Boeing is spending much time being spooked... as that is more orders than Boeing had at this time last year.

As Aero-News reported, 2005 proved to be an all-time record year for Boeing, with 1,002 net orders. The fact Boeing is ahead of 2005 numbers to date may indicate, despite predicitions from both Boeing and rival Airbus earlier this year that 2006 would be a significantly calmer sales year than last, that Boeing may eclipse last year's numbers still.

Things are less rosy at Airbus, where problems with its upcoming A350 and A380 aircraft appear to have had an impact on its order book. Airbus reported 222 firm orders through August, most of which for Airbus' 737-competitor, the A320-family.

While achieving another sales record is still "up in the air" for Boeing, it does appear likely Boeing will beat Airbus in sales for 2006... something it has failed to do since 2000 (last year was also a record for Airbus, with 1,055 net orders.) However, if there's one thing we've learned... it's to never, NEVER count Airbus out.

The remaining months of 2006 will likely hold big surprises on both sides. Stay tuned.

FMI: Click Here To See The Boeing Order Book