It's A Record!

Boeing confirmed Thursday what the numbers had suggested throughout the year: that 2005 was a very good year for the American aerospace manufacturer.

Sources tell Aero-News Boeing recorded 1,002 net commercial airplane orders during 2005, setting a new Boeing record for total orders in a single year. The 2005 total surpasses the previous Boeing record of 877 net orders in 1988, which includes both Boeing and then-McDonnell Douglas totals; the companies merged in 1997. 

In comparison, Boeing posted 272 net orders for commercial airplanes in 2004.

"Clearly, 2005 was an incredible year for our customers and for Boeing," said Alan Mulally, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive officer. "We continued to stay focused on bringing efficiency and value to the airlines of the world through world-class services and airplanes that fly passengers how they want to fly -- point-to-point, nonstop, with more frequencies and more choices."

Gross orders in 2005, which exclude cancellations and conversions, totaled 1,029.

Three airplane programs -- the 737, 777 and 787 programs -- also achieved individual records with net orders of 569 for 737s, 154 for 777s and 235 for 787s. Previous record totals for these programs were 438 737s in 1996, 116 777s in 2000, and 56 787s in 2004.

The 747 and 767 programs also had a successful sales year, with 43 and 15 net new orders, respectively.

More than 72 different customers ordered Boeing airplanes in 2005, according to representatives with the Chicago-based company -- from passenger airlines, cargo carriers, leasing companies and private customers. The 2005 totals include 28 aircraft from customers who wish to remain unidentified as of Jan. 4, 2006.

"We also solidified the transformation of our product line, and the market validated our strategy with every order during the year," said Mulally. "Our new portfolio of airplanes from 100 to 450 seats, combined with our global support services, put us in a great position for the long term."

"We look forward to 2006 and continuing to meet our commitments to our customers," Mulally said.

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