Key facts
- Boeing delivered 60 jets in May, a 33% increase year-over-year.
- Boeing delivered 51 737 MAX jets in May.
- Boeing is studying increasing 737 MAX production to 70 jets per month.
- Boeing's current 737 production plan remains at 63 jets per month.
- Boeing delivered two 787 Dreamliner aircraft to Riyadh Air.
- Airbus delivered 81 jets in May, a 59% increase year-over-year.
- Airbus's May deliveries rebounded after a Chinese regulatory issue was resolved.
- Airbus has 262 year-to-date deliveries.
- Airbus faces delays with A321XLR deliveries to IndiGo.
- Airbus is nearing a widebody aircraft order from SAS.
- Boeing can support a 200-jet China order with aftermarket parts.
- Rolls-Royce secured additional orders for 787 engines.
Boeing reported a 33% year-over-year increase in jet deliveries for May, with a total of 60 aircraft handed over. This figure included 51 737 MAX jets, marking the highest monthly number for this model since production resumed in December 2024. Despite this growth, Boeing trailed rival Airbus in total deliveries for the month.
Boeing is currently studying the feasibility of boosting 737 MAX production to a record rate of 70 jets per month, a move that would be critical for the company's financial recovery. This exploration follows the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lifting a production cap on the 737 MAX. However, CEO Dave Calhoun emphasized that 'right now 63 is our plan,' indicating that the studies are in early stages and the higher rate may not be adopted. The company is assessing supplier capacity for the potential increase beyond the current plan of 63 aircraft per month.
Airbus saw a significant rebound in May, delivering 81 aircraft, a 59% increase from the previous year. This surge was partly due to the resolution of a Chinese regulatory issue that had previously delayed 20 Airbus planes. Year-to-date deliveries for Airbus reached 262 aircraft. However, the company is facing delays with its A321XLR model, impacting IndiGo's expansion plans. Airbus is also reportedly close to securing a widebody aircraft order from Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), which could include A330neo and A350 family aircraft.
In specific deliveries, Boeing handed over the first two 787 Dreamliner aircraft to Riyadh Air, a new Saudi Arabian airline. Riyadh Air plans to utilize the 787-9 for regional and long-haul routes and is set to launch services soon. Boeing's services executive also stated that the company can support a 200-plane order from China with aftermarket parts, pending global parts approval and supply guarantees for engine parts. Rolls-Royce has secured additional orders for its engines used on Boeing's 787, aiming to regain market share from General Electric. Despite industry pressures and higher fuel costs, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury noted no signs of customers cancelling jet orders, indicating resilient long-term demand.