Boeing delivers 137 jets in first quarter

EVERETT — The Boeing Co. delivered 137 airplanes in the first three months of 2012, the company reported Thursday. That’s up 32 percent from the 104 jets Boeing delivered in the first quarter of 2011.

Boeing delivered five 787 Dreamliners and six 747-8s in the quarter. Boeing also handed over seven 767s and 20 777s. All of those planes were assembled in Everett. Leading the way in deliveries, as always, was the Renton-built 737, with 99 aircraft delivered in the first quarter.

Chicago-based Boeing plans to deliver 585 to 600 aircraft this year. Of those, 70 to 85 deliveries will be Boeing 787 and 747-8 jets, split evenly between the two. To meet 787 delivery goals, Boeing will have to deliver 787s at a far faster rate than it did over the first three months of the year. A few of the obstacles holding back 787 deliveries have included rework to fix a defect discovered earlier this year on the plane’s tail; FAA certification of General Electric engines; and other rework needed to bring early-built 787s up to certification standards.

Boeing gained the Federal Aviation Administration’s OK to deliver 787-8s powered with GE engines last month, clearing the way for delivery of two Dreamliners to Japan Airlines. To meet 787 commitments, Boeing will begin delivering Dreamliners from its North Charleston, S.C., site this year. The company said Wednesday that it will roll out the first 787 built in South Carolina on April 27.

The company delivered the first 787, which was about three years behind schedule, last September to Japan’s All Nippon Airways. Since then, ANA has received a total of six Dreamliners. Boeing has orders for more than 850 787s.

Also on Thursday, Boeing added six orders to the first-quarter tally: three 777s from Angola’s TAAG Airlines, which was announced Monday, and three 777s from an undisclosed customer. That brings the company’s first-quarter order total to 412.

Rival jet maker Airbus hadn’t released first-quarter numbers as of Thursday. Airbus had 91 net orders through the end of February and had delivered 84 aircraft over the first two months of the year.

Boeing’s shares closed Thursday at $73.59, down 8 cents for the day. The company will report its first-quarter earnings on April 25.

Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.