Boeing sees airplane deliveries jump on return of the 787

By The Associated Press

Boeing reported Tuesday that deliveries of new jetliners jumped in March, helped by the return of the long-range 787 Dreamliner, as the U.S. aircraft maker edged out European rival Airbus in both deliveries and new orders.

Boeing said it delivered 64 commercial airplanes last month, nearly matching the combined total of January and February. Seven were 787s, which Boeing had been blocked from shipping to airlines for several weeks while U.S. regulators looked into questions about pressure seals in the front of the planes.

Arlington, Virginia-based Boeing has been forced to halt 787 deliveries several times in the last two years because of production and regulatory issues, and last week the Federal Aviation Administration proposed that airlines inspect their 787s for lavatory leaks that could let water seep into electronic equipment.

The bulk of March deliveries — 52 of them — involved the smaller 737 Max jet, including 12 each to Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.

Deliveries are an important source of cash for Boeing, which is trying to bounce back after losing more than $5 billion last year.

Airbus reported 61 deliveries last month, bringing its total for the year to 127, almost all in its A320 family that competes with Boeing 737s.

Boeing said it took new orders for 60 planes, but orders for 22 others were canceled, leading to a net gain of 38 in March. The largest chunk involved a previously disclosed order of 21 Max jets by Japan Airlines.

Airbus took orders for 20 planes in March but two others were canceled.