Goal Is To Build 485 Planes For Year... Hopefully, No "White Tails"

Despite significant layoffs and the continuing efforts to recover from a crippling machinists strike last year, Boeing posted an impressive 5.2 percent gain in the number of commercial airliner deliveries in the first quarter of this year, over 2008 levels.

The American planemaker delivered 121 new aircraft to commercial clients in the first three months of 2009, according to figures released Thursday. Of that total, 91 aircraft were 737 narrowbodies -- both the biggest seller for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, as well as the quickest plane for workers to build.
Next on the list was the 777 widebody, Boeing's most profitable aircraft line with 23 deliveries so far for the year.

The planemaker also delivered four 747-400 cargo planes -- due to be phased out over the next three years in favor of the upcoming 747-8 -- and three 767s.

Bloomberg reports the planemaker aims to deliver between 480-485 commercial aircraft this year, which would be a record total for Boeing. Aircraft manufacturers are not paid the full contract price until planes are delivered... so the impetus is on Boeing to move planes out the doors in Everett, Renton and Seattle.

That may become problematic in coming months, however... as customers are expected to cancel existing orders due to the sluggish economy. So far in 2009, Boeing has received 28 new orders for the year, against 32 order cancellations to date. Analysts have expressed doubts whether Boeing and rival Airbus will be able to make it the year without the need to park "white tails" -- completed aircraft with no customers assigned to them.

Over on the military side, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems delivered 10 F/A-18s, five new-build Apaches, three C-17 Cargomasters and one 767 Tanker.

FMI: www.boeing.com