We compared January 2017 to January 2018 numbers for aircraft transactions. Aircraft transactions may appear impressive when, in fact, it might just be a data aberration due to a merger.
The Airbus transactions show a spike in January 2018 over 2017. This looks too good to be true.
And the explanation is the takeover of Virgin America by Alaska Airlines. Alaska took 10 A319s and 53 A320s from now-defunct Virgin America.
What can see though, is that Airbus and Boeing had a slow month in January 2018 with their top-selling models, the A320neo and MAX8. Airbus has a well-known issue with engine deliveries. But maybe Boeing is also having some slow MAX engine deliveries. Boeing may also have some “gliders”, like this one from January 30 or this one from February 19. Airbus has not managed to keep this as quiet as Boeing has, it appears.
Next looking at in-production widebodies the data shows the following. Airbus had a more active January by way of more transactions by model compared to 2017. Airbus’ A350-900 deliveries have seen a nice jump, year over year. But Boeing’s 787-9 is the leading current production passenger model in terms of overall January 2018 widebody transactions.