Boeing Commercial Airplanes set a new record in 2013 for the most commercial airplanes delivered in a single year, with 648 jets, and its order book of 5,080 planes of various models still to be delivered also represents a new high for the OEM.
Boeing paired the announcement with confirmation of a major new order from flydubai, a discount airline serving the Gulf region. The carrier ordered order 75 Boeing 737 MAX 8s and 11 Next-Generation 737-800s, a total order valued at $8.8 billion at list prices. Also, flydubai has an option to purchase 25 more 737 MAX jets.
The 737 MAX is a new-model single-aisle jet on schedule to replace the current 737 Next-Generation aircraft beginning in 2017, powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines for high efficiency and reliability. Boeing claims airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 14% savings in fuel consumption.
Boeing has logged over 1,700 orders for 737 MAX jets to date.
For the year just passed, Boeing engaged a total of 1,531 gross commercial orders, another new company record. Net commercial orders for 2013 totaled 1,355 net commercial orders in 2013, the second-largest number in company history.
Across Boeing’s individual jet models, three programs set single-year records for deliveries in in 2013:
• The 737 program delivered 440 Next-Generation 737s
• The 777 program delivered 98 airplanes
• The 787 Dreamliner program delivered 65 new jets.
"With solid execution on our numerous production rate increases, the Boeing team performed extremely well in 2013," stated Ray Connor, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplane. "We delivered more advanced, fuel-efficient airplanes to our customers than ever before, and it's a great example of what our team can accomplish."
Furthermore, Boeing noted that all three of its commercial jet production sites (Everrett and Renton, Wash., and North Charleston, S.C.) set records for jets delivered in 2013.
Connor predicted that 2014 would extend the OEM’s success. "The year ahead will be exciting as we prepare to deliver the first 787-9, continue the design work on our newest programs – the 737 MAX, 787-10 and 777X – while increasing our production rates on the 737."
