Boeing has pledged to provide an average of two aircraft each month during 2024-25, aiding
the growth strategies of Indian airlines. The delays in deliveries, resulting from production
slowdowns and a strike at Boeing’s U.S. facility, have affected carriers such as Air India and
Akasa. Air India’s substantial order, which includes 50 Boeing 737 MAX white-tails, is now
anticipated to be fulfilled by mid-2025 rather than the originally scheduled 2024 deadline.
As per Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), the commercial aircraft fleet in India and
South Asia is expected to expand nearly four times over the next two decades. The area is
forecasted to need 2,835 new airplanes, with Indian carriers responsible for 2,550 of these.
This ongoing expansion is propelled by a 7% annual increase in air traffic, attributed to
economic growth, enhanced connectivity, and favorable government initiatives.
Boeing predicts that fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft, such as the 737 MAX, will dominate the
market, constituting 90% of deliveries owing to their cost-effectiveness and appropriateness
for short- to medium-haul routes. Furthermore, the widebody fleet is set to quadruple as
airlines enhance long-haul operations using aircraft like the 787 Dreamliner and 777X,
especially on routes linking India and North America.
With India and South Asia identified as the fastest-growing commercial aviation market, Boeing
foresees a substantial increase in cargo freighter demand, anticipated to grow fivefold as the
region solidifies its position in global supply chains. The company remains hopeful about long-
term aviation growth, underpinned by infrastructure advancements and increasing household incomes.
Busiest January Since 2019 with over 40 Deliveries
Boeing’s January 2025 delivery figures indicate that the aircraft manufacturer has made a
promising start this year, especially in comparison to its performance in 2024. The company
successfully delivered 45 airplanes, 40 of which were the 737 MAX models.
This is particularly noteworthy as aircraft manufacturers generate the majority of their revenue during deliveries. Boeing’s financial situation has faced challenges recently, and following the events of 2024, the company was at risk of experiencing a significant downgrade in its credit ratings. Nevertheless, with deliveries gaining momentum, Boeing may begin to restore its
market position.
Various airlines both in the U.S. and internationally received 737 MAX planes last month,
including seven for United Airlines, five for Southwest, two for Air China, and three for Air Lease Corporation, among several other clients.
Additionally, the company delivered a Boeing 777 freighter to Ethiopian Airlines, a 787-10
Dreamliner to All Nippon Airways, and a 787-9 Dreamliner each to Korean Air, TAAG Angola
Airlines, and United Airlines.
Boeing also announced 36 new aircraft orders in January, 34 of which were for the widely
popular 737 MAX airplane for an undisclosed customer, with two orders for the 777 freighter for
another undisclosed customer. In comparison, Boeing secured 27 orders in January 2024.
Airbus ships fewer aircraft but secures more orders
A brief review of the delivery and order statistics for Boeing’s primary competitor across the
ocean—European aircraft manufacturer Airbus—shows that it fell behind the American
manufacturer in January in terms of deliveries yet succeeded in obtaining a greater number of
orders.
Airbus delivers fewer planes but bags more orders
In January, Airbus delivered a mere 25 planes, which included three A220-300 and two
A321neo aircraft to US-based airlines. The first plane delivered was an A321neo to China
Southern Airlines, followed by deliveries on January 14, where an A319neo and an A320neo
were sent to West Air and easyJet, respectively, indicating a rather lackluster month relative to
its recent achievements.
United Airlines was the sole US airline to receive A320neo family aircraft, taking delivery of one
A321neo on both January 28 and 30. The January deliveries also featured two A350s—one to
Emirates (A350-900) and another to Japan Airlines (A350-1000).
Last month, Airbus also added 55 gross orders to its backlog. After factoring in the
cancellations of one A220-100 and three A320neos, the net order total amounted to 51 aircraft.
Naturally, this is just the beginning of 2025, and it will be fascinating to observe how this year
unfolds for both aircraft manufacturers. In the previous year, Boeing delivered 348 airplanes,
while Airbus achieved 766 deliveries.
Is there hope for Boeing’s recovery?
Boeing faced a challenging 2024, to put it mildly. The company received considerable criticism
for its defective production practices that emerged after the Alaska Airlines midair incident in
January of the previous year.
Investors were closely monitoring Boeing as it found itself in a difficult situation with the
Federal Aviation Administration limiting its 737 MAX production, leading airlines to express
concerns regarding their fleet strategies due to delivery delays. Some, such as United Airlines,
even turned to rival Airbus and placed additional orders for A320 family aircraft to bridge the
gap left by unfulfilled MAX deliveries.
An additional setback occurred late last year when an almost two-month-long machinist strike
resulted in over 33,000 workers leaving Boeing’s West Coast factories, further impacting the
company’s financial health.
Hopefully, the latest delivery figures signal a gradual return to normalcy for Boeing as it strives
to regain its footing
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