Boeing Books Orders For 182 Planes In Q3

Boeing booked 182 commercial aircraft orders in the third quarter and delivered 580 from January to September, putting it on track to hit its delivery target for the year.

However, Boeing's order tally remained far below that of Airbus. Boeing has booked 507 orders this year, compared with 875 for Airbus. After cancellations, Boeing had 447 net orders for the first nine months, compared with 815 for Airbus.

Boeing delivered 580 jets in the first nine months, including 37 787 Dreamliners. That total was 30 percent more than the 446 planes Airbus delivered.

Both plane makers are increasing production rates to reduce order backlogs that stretch out eight to 10 years.

Boeing has said it expects to deliver at least 750 aircraft this year, meaning it has to deliver only 170 more in the next three months to hit that target. Airbus said it will deliver slightly more than the 626 it delivered in 2014.

Boeing delivered 20 of its higher-priced 787-9 aircraft in the quarter, and 17 of the smaller 787-8 variant.

The 787-9, which has a list price of USD$264.6 million, brings in more revenue, and analysts see delivery of more of those jets helping Boeing reach its goal of making the 787 break even on a cash basis by year-end.

The company would not say how many planes were built in Washington state versus South Carolina. Boeing did not mention delivery problems caused by supply chain problems.

Airbus said on Wednesday that it was on track to meet its delivery targets for the year despite problems with suppliers of cabin furnishings.

Similar issues delayed delivery of Boeing 787s earlier this year.