Boeing Set to Win 2006
With slightly over a week left to go in 2006, it looks as if Boeing will come out on top of all aircraft orders this year, beating Airbus by as much as 400.
The Boeing Co. has won orders for 38 more jets worth about $3 billion at list prices, moving it within striking distance of having its second consecutive year with more than 1,000 orders.
The latest orders were for three 787s and 35 737s. That gives Boeing 904 net orders this year.
It is also not unconceivable that Boeing will top 1000 total orders for the year as well. However, I wouldn’t put it past Airbus to be unscrupulously holding back a number of orders in an attempt to circumvent Boeing’s triumph.
Boeing has not beaten rival Airbus in orders since 2000, but will likely do so this year unless Airbus, which had more than 600* orders through November, has another remarkable December. Last year, Airbus won more than 400 firm orders in December.
I guess we’ll just have to wait and see, but regardless, way to go Boeing!
*I was able to confirm the exact order total for Boeing from their website, however, I could only find company-lifetime cumulative order numbers on Airbus’ website and no exact total for just this year.
Update: Boeing’s Randy Baseler has a much more detailed round-up over at his blog.
