Boeing has bustling week with 46 new orders

EVERETT — Although the Boeing Co. did not start 2009 strong with jet orders, the company is ending the year on a high note, logging 46 new orders in the last week.

Among Boeing’s new orders is a request for 11 787 Dreamliners from an undisclosed customer. It’s the first firm order that Boeing has received for its delayed Dreamliner since putting the first 787 in the air Dec. 15.

The new orders bring Boeing’s net tally for 2009 to 141, through Dec. 22, according to its Web site which is updated every Thursday. Boeing won’t provide another update on orders until January, the company said Thursday.

Boeing still trails rival jet maker, Airbus, for commercial aircraft orders this year. At the end of November, Airbus had 194 net orders and 225 gross orders.

Both manufacturers have logged in a number of order cancellations this year as airlines scale back expansion plans in light of declining air travel. Boeing said Thursday that it received six cancellations over the past week: three 737s and three 777s. In total, the Chicago-based company has lost 118 orders in 2009.

Included in the new orders recorded this week is the previously disclosed request from Japan’s All Nippon Airways for five 777s and five 767s. Boeing also received an order for one 737 from the U.S. Air Force and orders for 24 737s from undisclosed customers.

Boeing’s tally does not reflect a request from United Airlines for 25 787s. That order was announced by the U.S. carrier in early December but has yet to be finalized.

Boeing’s fuel-efficient 787 drummed up tremendous interest from airlines, but delays have caused some carriers to cancel their Dreamliner orders. With the 787’s first flight, Boeing began its flight test program, which will require round-the-clock operation in order to gain approval by federal aviation authorities in time to deliver the first 787 late next year to ANA.