Boeing wins orders race for first year since 2000

Boeing Co. recorded 1,044 net orders for commercial airplanes in 2006, besting its record from the year before by 4.2% as it capitalized on demand momentum for its new, twin-aisle 787 Dreamliner and its mainstay 737.

By PADRAIC CASSIDY, MARKETWATCH
airbus 88 298 (photo credit: Bloomberg)
airbus 88 298
(photo credit: Bloomberg)
MarketWatch: In-depth global business coverage Boeing Co. recorded 1,044 net orders for commercial airplanes in 2006, besting its record from the year before by 4.2 percent as it capitalized on demand momentum for its new, twin-aisle 787 Dreamliner and its mainstay 737. The Chicago-based company, whose plane-making operations are in Seattle, booked more orders than its pan-European rival Airbus for the first time since 2000. Boeing said it booked 729 orders for its 737 line, including 75 from Air Berlin, most of which became final in the last week of December. In 2005, Boeing had received 569 orders for the 737. Airbus, a unit of the European Aeronautics Defence and Space Co., lists 635 aircraft orders in 2006 through the end of November but added more than 60 orders in December. Airbus had recorded 1,111 net orders in 2005. Boeing counted 157 orders in 2006 for its composite-built 787 model, including 45 from Australia's Qantas Airways and 13 from Houston-based carrier Continental Airlines Inc. Qantas is also an Airbus customer, flying or ordering 65 aircraft, including the European company's delayed A380. Minneapolis-based Northwest Airlines Corp., also an Airbus customer, is scheduled to put the first Dreamliner into service in 2008. Boeing delivered 398 aircraft in 2006, including 302 737-Next Generation planes, 65 777s and 12 767s. Boeing's stock also hit an all-time high of $92.05 in mid-November. In mid-day trading Thursday the shares were off by 2 cents at $89.15. Airbus hit its own milestones in 2006, with its superjumbo A380 passenger jet securing flying certification from the Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency. The A380 is certified to carry up to 853 people, but Airbus expects most jets to hold 555 or fewer. After an initial flurry of advance orders for the A380, Airbus had been forced to delay manufacturing the plane because of wiring problems. Those delays, and customers' apparent preference for smaller craft, has resulted in Airbus' loss of the edge it had on rival Boeing in the race for aircraft orders. MarketWatch: In-depth global business coverage