The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) delivered more aircraft in a single quarter than its rival Airbus for the first time since mid-2018 according to Bloomberg Intelligence, a sign the troubled airplane manufacturer is recovering following a series of challenges, including two deadly crashes involving its 737 MAX jets and production issues.
The company said on Tuesday it delivered 130 aircraft during the quarter, up 37% from 95 in the comparable period in 2022.
Airbus delivered 127 planes during the quarter compared to 142 in the same period last year, an 11% decline, as the European plane maker struggled with parts shortages.
This comes as Boeing is preparing to ramp up production of its 737 MAX jets to its 2019 rate of 52 a month by January 2025, as reported by Reuters on Monday. Boeing is currently targeting the production of 31 of its 737 MAX jets per month.
Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that after increasing its monthly 737 MAX production rate to 38 in June, Boeing plans to up this to 42 a month by January 2024 and 47 a month by June 2024.
Shares of Boeing had edged higher, up 0.7% at US$212.35, at noon on Tuesday.
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