Airbus has surpassed its rival Boeing in aircraft deliveries amid the ongoing Boeing 737 Max crisis. Boeing delivered only 27 airplanes to customers last month, facing quality control problems and production delays that have frustrated airline CEOs. In contrast, Airbus delivered 79 planes in the first two months of 2024, widening its lead over Boeing.
The delayed deliveries of Boeing planes have caused significant challenges for airline leaders. Southwest Airlines, which exclusively operates Boeing 737s, announced that it would reduce its capacity plans for the year due to the fewer Boeing Max deliveries. This has also led to a reevaluation of their 2024 financial estimates. United Airlines has also made adjustments to its fleet plans by excluding the uncertified Boeing 737 Max 10.
Boeing’s February deliveries included 17 Max jetliners and seven wide-body 787-9 Dreamliners. Deliveries are crucial for manufacturers as customers pay the majority of the aircraft’s price upon receiving the plane.
While Airbus has been outpacing Boeing in deliveries, Boeing still maintains customer loyalty. American Airlines recently placed an order for 260 narrow-body airplanes, split between Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer. This shows that despite the struggles faced by Boeing, customers are not abandoning the company entirely.
In terms of new orders, Boeing logged 15 gross orders for new planes in February, while Airbus sold only two. This indicates that despite the challenges, Boeing is still able to attract new business.
The ongoing Boeing 737 Max crisis has had a significant impact on the company’s operations and reputation. However, Airbus has been able to capitalize on this situation by delivering a larger number of planes and attracting new orders. The competition between these two aircraft manufacturers remains heated, and it will be interesting to see how Boeing responds to regain its position in the market.
In conclusion, Airbus has outpaced Boeing in aircraft deliveries amid the escalating Boeing 737 Max crisis. Boeing’s quality control problems and production delays have frustrated airline CEOs and led to adjustments in fleet plans. Despite these challenges, Boeing still attracts new business and maintains customer loyalty. The competition between Airbus and Boeing continues, and it remains to be seen how Boeing will recover from this setback.
