Boeing Co. achieved a significant milestone by delivering more jets in January than Airbus SE, marking the first time in almost two years that the US planemaker outpaced its European rival. With 45 aircraft delivered, including 40 of its 737 Max models, Boeing's performance in January signaled a strong start to the year and a promising recovery from recent challenges.
This achievement comes on the heels of a tumultuous period for Boeing, which faced a global grounding of the 737 Max and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The company's January delivery total was the highest since December 2023, indicating progress in stabilizing aircraft output and a positive turn after a challenging 2024 marked by a significant drop in stock value.
The month of January saw Boeing benefit from the first full month of production following a strike by 33,000 hourly factory workers in September. The deliveries included seven 737 Max units to Chinese airlines, amidst ongoing trade tensions and tariff disputes. Boeing's Chief Financial Officer had anticipated this uptick in deliveries, attributing it to the clearance of completed aircraft from the strike period.
Looking ahead, Boeing aims to ramp up production, with approximately 20 newly built 737 jets rolling out of its narrowbody factory in January. Analysts view this as a step towards achieving the company's production target of 38 737 family jets per month later in the year. Additionally, Boeing secured 36 gross orders in January, predominantly for 34 Max jets from undisclosed buyers, without any cancellations.
Overall, Boeing's performance in January reflects a promising start to the year, signaling a recovery from past setbacks and a resurgence in aircraft production. With positive momentum in deliveries and orders, the US planemaker is on track to further strengthen its position in the aerospace industry in the coming months.