Boeing fails to hit heights of 2015 on orders for last year

US aircraft maker says deliveries fell short of last year's figures with the 747 jumbo jet failing to find much favour although the 737 propped up the order book.

Boeing's 737 is its most popluar model by far although overall commercial aircraft deliveries did not hit 2015 levels last year, it said. Stephen Brashear / AFP

Boeing said at the weekend its deliveries of commercial planes fell modestly in 2016 and it saw fewer orders compared to 2015.

The US aerospace major delivered 748 planes last year, down from 762 in 2015.

Boeing booked orders for 668 planes, down 13 per cent in from orders in 2015. The 2016 orders are worth us$94.1bn at list prices, it said.

Boeing’s archrival Airbus said in November that it was targeting deliveries of 670 planes for the year. Commercial aircraft deliveries are tied to revenues and are closely monitored as a sign of financial strength.

Boeing’s most popular plane, the single-aisle 737, comprised about two-thirds of the deliveries and an even higher percentage of the orders.

The company last week announced a new order for 75 of the 737s, worth $8.25bn, from General Electric’s aircraft leasing arm.

However, deliveries of the famous 747 jumbo jets fell by half to just nine. The company announced in January 2016 it was cutting production of the planes in half due to weak demand in the cargo market. Airbus has also faired badly with its jumbo offering, the A380.

Boeing said in December it also was cutting production of its wide-body 777 planes to five from seven due to slackening demand. It delivered 99 of the planes in 2016, up one from the prior year.

* AFP

Follow The National's Business section on Twitter