Boeing reported a 14% drop in jet deliveries for October, handing over 49 aircraft compared to 57 in September and 53 in the same month last year. Despite the decline, the company saw its strongest October for net orders since 1997, booking 165 new orders with no cancellations. The majority of these orders came from lessor Avolon, which placed a significant order for 140 737 MAX jets.
The October deliveries included 32 737 MAX jets, down from 43 in September. CEO Kelly Ortberg had previously indicated that Boeing would miss its annual delivery target of about 500 jets for the 737 MAX. Other deliveries included 11 787 Dreamliners, two 777 freighters, and three 767s, one of which was for Boeing Defense's KC-46 tanker program.
The lower delivery numbers come as Boeing works to increase 737 production to 47 jets per month, a rate expected to be reached in early 2027. However, wing production remains a constraint, and a supplier dispute has stalled wing production for 777 freighters and 767s. Through October, Boeing has delivered 524 jets, up about 6% from 493 a year earlier, but still trailing behind European rival Airbus, which delivered 621 jets in the first 10 months of the year.
Air New Zealand received two 787s despite ongoing delays in the certification of its economy-class Skyrest sleep pods by European regulators. Of the October orders, 150 were for 737 MAX jets, including 140 for Avolon, six for Allegiant Air, and four for unidentified customers. The remaining 15 orders were for 787s from unidentified customers.