Boeing has officially lost its crown as the world’s leading airliner manufacturer. The Boeing 737, a reliable cash cow for decades with over 11,000 deliveries, has now been surpassed by the Airbus A320 in orders. As of October 2024, Airbus has secured 15,193 orders for the A320 family, while Boeing lags with 15,136 orders for the 737.
Boeing faces significant challenges in its delivery operations, with only 175 planes delivered in the first half of 2024 compared to 266 during the same period last year. In contrast, Airbus has demonstrated strong delivery performance, with 323 commercial planes delivered in the first half of 2024.
Leadership at Boeing is also undergoing changes. The company has appointed new CEO Robert “Kelly” Ortberg as former CEO Dave Calhoun steps down amidst ongoing safety concerns and financial struggles.
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