Earlier today, we reported on Airbus deliveries for Q1 being somewhat disappointing at 127 aircraft. A few hours later, Boeing shared its number for the same period: 130. This time, we can say it looks actually quite positive! How come? Boeing ends Q1 with strong deliveries in March.
For instance, where Airbus’ number is down to 142 in the first three months of 2022, Boeing’s is up from 95. Like Airbus, the US airframer had a slow start to the year but made up with a very strong March that saw 64 deliveries. That’s the highest score since the pandemic started.
The 64 aircraft include one 737 P-8A and 52 MAX, seven 787s, three 777Fs, and a single 767. With 130 deliveries in Q1, this means that Boeing delivered almost as many aircraft in March as during January and February altogether. The Q1 score includes 113 737s and MAX, the final 747, one 767, four 777s, and eleven 787s.
While Boeing deliveries – like those at Airbus – were held back by supply chain issues, the US company had some additional issues to solve during the quarter. For a few weeks, 787 deliveries were paused over a suspected analysis error of data for the forward pressure bulkhead. This was identified as being an administrative issue that has no consequences for the actual aircraft, but it cost Boeing some deliveries during the quarter. The same happened to the 767 when a coating issue was found inside the center fuel tank.
Orders
On orders, Boeing also did better than a year before. It booked 76 net orders in Q1 of 2022 but ended with 107 net orders this year. This includes 120 gross orders, 64 cancelations, 56 net orders, plus 51 ASC 606 accounting changes for aircraft for which deliveries are now more certain than they seemed before.
In March, Boeing won 60 gross orders, including forty MAX for Japan Airlines (21), Luxair (two), and seventeen for unidentified customers. It also booked twenty 787s, including seven for Lufthansa, five for EVA Air, and eight for unidentified customers. But it had to de-book sixteen MAX, including eight for Singapore Airlines and another eight for undisclosed customers. AerCap canceled two Dreamliners and others four.Â
