Boeing’s Deliveries of Planes Rise 40%

Boeing Co. said Tuesday that first-quarter airliner deliveries climbed 40%, helped by demand from low-cost and international carriers.

Shipments of commercial jets last quarter rose to 98, the Chicago-based plane maker said. That’s up from 70 a year earlier. Seventy-two deliveries were for Boeing’s 737 model popular with discount airlines such as Southwest Airlines Co. and Ryanair Holdings.

The deliveries included 17 of the more-profitable 777 wide- body jets, or 17% of the total, compared with eight in last year’s first quarter, or 11%. Boeing and larger European rival Airbus are benefiting as airlines worldwide order more fuel-efficient jets to meet rising demand for Asian travel.

Boeing expects to deliver 395 planes this year.

Boeing shares rose 59 cents to $78.60.