Boeing notes anniversary, orders and outsourcing

The Boeing Co. has made several announcements this morning.

In its last weekly update of 2007, Boeing tacked on 67 orders, bringing its year-to-date tally to 1,213 net orders. As previously mentioned, that’s a new sales record for Boeing.

The orders include a request for 31 737s from Dublin-based leasing company AWAS; two 777s for Delta Air Lines; 31 737s for Australia’s Qantas; and three 787s for an unidentified customer.

Boeing will publish its final 2007 orders count in January.

The company also announced an agreement to outsource some defense work to India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The 10-year memorandum of understanding between the two aerospace companies has a potential value of $1 billion. You can read Boeing’s press statement for additional information.

Finally, Boeing also marked the 50th anniversary of the first flight of its 707 jet. Boeing’s chief of flight test Tex Johnston put the 707 in flight in Renton for 71-minutes on Dec. 20, 1957. Pan Am was the first customer and last customer of the 707.