The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] in 2008 recorded 662 net commercial airplane orders, bringing its backlog of unfilled commercial orders to more than 3,700 airplanes
The Next-Generation 737 remained the company's best seller, with 484 chosen last year by customers from nearly every region of the world. Demand for the all-new 787 Dreamliner also remained strong with 93 ordered, primarily by Middle East customers.
"While we clearly faced obstacles, 2008 also was a time of accomplishment at Commercial Airplanes," said Scott Carson, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive officer, who noted that the 2008 order total was the eighth highest on record. "We are leaders in commercial aviation and with that comes the responsibility to deliver the best value to our customers, our shareholders and our communities.
"With a balanced base of customers from all regions of the world, from airlines with varied business models, and with strong orders across our product line, we are now focused on executing this strong backlog position," Carson added.
The twin-aisle 777 captured 54 orders from customers in Europe, the Middle East, North America and Asia. The 767-300ER (Extended Range) logged 28 orders, and the 747-8 Intercontinental added three to the orders list.
During 2008, 375 airplanes were delivered to customers worldwide: 290 737s (including six Boeing Business Jets), 14 747s, 10 767s and 61 777s. Deliveries were affected by a strike that halted commercial production for several weeks.
Boeing also debuted the first 777 Freighter and began flight testing on that program, while the first P-8A Poseidon - a derivative of the Next-Generation 737 for use by the U.S. Navy - completed final assembly. In June, the first 767 Boeing Converted Freighter was delivered, 1 of 26 freighter conversions completed during the year. And, major structural and systems tests were successfully completed on the 787 Dreamliner.
Commercial Airplanes achieved several important milestones in 2008, including the 700th 777 delivery and the 5,000th order for the Next-Generation 737. The 40th anniversary of the rollout of the 747 was celebrated, as was the delivery of the 1,400th 747. Additionally, major assembly was started on the new 747-8. Boeing Business Jets also delivered the first BBJ 3, a new, larger version based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737-900ER.
Other Boeing Commercial Airplanes highlights in 2008 included:
- - Reaffirming Boeing's environmental leadership by collaborating with global airline customers on demonstration flights - using sustainable biofuels and advanced air traffic management concepts.
- - SevenBoeing Commercial Airplanes manufacturing sites earning ISO 14001 environmental certification: Renton, Auburn and Frederickson, Wash.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Winnipeg, Canada; and Bankstown and Fishermen's Bend, Australia.
- - Improving Services response time to 97.2 percent from 96 percent in 2007 for airplane customers' more than 10,000 urgent requests through our 24/7 Operations Center.
- - Partnering with government and industry to successfully meet a 10-year goal to reduce the U.S. commercial aviation accident rate by 80 percent.
Orders and Deliveries Web site: http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/index.cfm
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