EVERETT — The Boeing Co. teased industry observers Wednesday with a barrage of last-minute commercial jet orders that will be included when the company updates its 2007 sales total today.
The orders, including a 100-jet deal with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, were completed by the close of business Dec. 31, Boeing said. The newly announced agreements could propel Boeing close to the 1,400-order mark and allow the Chicago-based company to cling to a slight sales lead over rival jetmaker Airbus.
Boeing will update its 2007 commercial plane orders on its Web site today. In its last update, which included orders through Dec. 18, Boeing listed 1,213 net orders for the year, making 2007 the company’s best sales year.
Airbus, which updates its orders monthly, said it had won 1,204 gross orders at the end of November. The company will provide its official 2007 sales total on Jan. 16. The European company had been expected to beat Boeing in orders after turning in strong sales requests during both the Paris Air Show in June and the Dubai Air Show in November.
On Wednesday, Boeing announced orders for 152 airplanes, worth roughly $16 billion at list prices.
During the Dubai Air Show, DAE signed a tentative agreement with Boeing for 70 Renton-built 737s, 15 787 Dreamliners, 10 777-300 Extended Range jets and five 747-8 Freighters. The global aerospace, manufacturing and services corporation also signed a letter of intent to buy 100 Airbus planes during the show. Boeing firmed up its deal with DAE on Dec. 31.
“This order marks a significant milestone in our relationship and strategic partnership with DAE,” said Marty Bentrott, Boeing’s newly appointed vice president of sales for the Middle East and Africa. “We look forward to working closely with DAE as it takes delivery of a wide variety of advanced Boeing airplanes well into the next decade, and we’re confident the performance of our airplanes will drive continued demand in the leasing market.”
Boeing also finished an agreement with Vietnam Airlines and Vietnam Aircraft Leasing Co. for 12 787s. The deal had been disclosed previously but was not considered a firm order. Boeing does not list tentative deals on its orders and deliveries Web site.
Finally, on Wednesday, Boeing confirmed an order from Brazil’s GOL Linhas Aereas S.A. for 40 737s. GOL has ordered a total of 127 Next Generation 737s since January 2001. The carrier also has purchase rights to an additional 40 737s.
“GOL has garnered international attention by consistently posting profits since beginning operations, and the 737 has been a large part of that success,” said John Wojick, Boeing’s vice president of sales for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Last week, Boeing and British Airways completed an agreement for 24 787 Dreamliners. The aerospace giant also reached a firm deal with South Korea’s Jeju Air for five 737s.
The recently announced orders bring the 787 Dreamliner’s lifetime order tally to 817. Boeing’s newest jet, built mostly from carbon fiber composite material, is slated to take its first flight by the end of March. Boeing has delayed the first delivery of its 787 by six months to November or December of this year.
Also of note, the deal from Dubai also pushes the lifetime order count for Boeing’s revamped 747-8 over 100. Boeing has incorporated some of the technology of the 787 on its updated 747. The company has won 25 orders for the passenger version and 78 for the 747-8 Freighter.
Boeing’s stock closed at $86.64, down 82 cents for the day. After-hours trading pushed it back up 20 cents following the announcements of the new orders.
Visit reporter Michelle Dunlop’s aerospace blog at heraldnet.com/blog for the latest on Boeing’s 2007 orders. She can be reached at 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.
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