Boeing’s Deliveries Rose in 2004

Boeing Co., the world’s second-biggest maker of commercial aircraft, said Wednesday that it delivered 285 jetliners last year, its first annual increase since 2002, as a recovery in air travel helped sales.

Boeing said it delivered 67 planes in the fourth quarter, down from 71 a year earlier. The Chicago-based company delivered 281 commercial aircraft in 2003. Of the total for this year, 202 were 737s, a plane popular among low-cost airlines.

Chief Executive Harry Stonecipher, 68, is counting on the 737 and the new 7E7 to win back market share from European plane maker Airbus. Airbus beat Boeing for the second straight year with 320 deliveries in 2004, according to a person familiar with the company. Boeing on Oct. 27 forecast 2005 deliveries of as many as 320 planes.

“Airbus delivering more aircraft isn’t something we lose a lot of sleep over,” said Todd Blecher, a Boeing spokesman. “Given the duopoly situation of the industry, some years they sell more, some years we do.”

The biggest seller in the fourth quarter was the 737, of which Boeing delivered 48. That was followed by the 777, with deliveries of nine in the quarter and 36 for the year, Boeing said.

The 737, the only aircraft used by discount carrier Southwest Airlines Inc., has 110 to 189 seats depending on the version. It lists for $44 million to $74 million.

Boeing also delivered three 717s, four 747s and three 767s in the quarter. The 7E7 is aimed at replacing the older 757 and 767.

Deliveries of the 7E7, which will carry 200 to 300 passengers, will begin in 2008.

Among defense products, Boeing sold three C-17 cargo planes in the quarter and 16 for the year. It sold two T-45TS training aircraft in the quarter and seven for the year, as well as two C-40 planes, totaling three for the year. The C-40 is a 737 converted for military use.

Boeing sold one Delta II rocket in the quarter and four for the year. It sold two satellites for commercial and government use in the year, none in the quarter.

Boeing shares rose 83 cents to $50.81 on the New York Stock Exchange.