Airbus, Boeing report jet deliveries for January

Airbus is out to a small lead over rival the Boeing Co. in orders and aircraft deliveries for 2010.

The European jet maker delivered 29 airplanes in January, just one more than Boeing. Airbus also landed one more order last month than did Boeing. Airbus won 11 aircraft orders in January to Boeing’s 10.

Both Boeing and Airbus handed over 23 single-aisle aircraft each to customers in January. Airbus also delivered two of its A380 super jumbo jets and four A330s. Boeing delivered four 777s and one 767.

Boeing already has announced that it will slow production of its Everett-built 777 mid-year. Its deliveries for last month are down from January 2009 when the company handed over 35 aircraft.

All of the orders won by both aircraft makers in January were for single-aisle aircraft.