The volume of aircraft deliveries is a closely monitored metric by Wall Street analysts, as planemakers typically receive the bulk of their payment upon the transfer of these jets. Boeing has been navigating a period marked by multiple crises and persistent production challenges, resulting in a substantial debt burden. Consequently, boosting delivery numbers is crucial for the company to generate increased cash flow and stabilize its financial position.
Interestingly, the April delivery figures included two aircraft destined for Chinese airlines. This occurred before Beijing issued a directive instructing its airlines to halt the acceptance of new Boeing airplanes amidst escalating trade tensions between China and the United States.
The April performance also represented a modest improvement over the preceding month, with Boeing delivering four more jets than the 41 recorded in March. Among the April deliveries were a 777 freighter destined for CES Leasing Corp., a subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines' parent company, and a 737 MAX delivered to China Southern.
The impact of the trade dispute became apparent when U.S. President Donald Trump announced significant tariffs against China in April of the previous year. At that time, four 737 MAX aircraft were undergoing final preparations at Boeing's finishing center in Zhoushan, China, where interior installations, livery painting, and other pre-delivery work are completed. Following China's decision to cease deliveries, these aircraft were flown back to Seattle and are currently parked in Moses Lake in central Washington State.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg had previously indicated during the company's quarterly earnings call last month that approximately 50 aircraft deliveries to Chinese customers were planned for the current year. Orders from Chinese carriers constitute a significant portion of Boeing's commercial backlog, representing around 10%.
Breaking down the April deliveries further, Boeing shipped 29 of its popular 737 MAX planes, with eight going to United Airlines, five to Ryanair, and five to Southwest Airlines. Additionally, the company delivered eight 787 Dreamliners, four 777 freighters, and three 767 aircraft.
April marked the fourth consecutive month in which Boeing's jet deliveries surpassed the 40-unit threshold. The company has been intensely focused on stabilizing the production rate of its bestselling 737 MAX, which faced significant disruptions due to quality control issues in the preceding year.
Looking at the year-to-date performance, Boeing has delivered a total of 175 aircraft in the first four months of the year, including 133 737 MAX, 21 787s, and 11 777 freighters.
In terms of new business, Boeing booked eight gross new orders in April, one more than the seven recorded in the same month last year. All of these new orders were for 737 MAX jetliners from unidentified customers. The company reported no cancellations or conversions during the month. Furthermore, 32 previously placed orders were officially added to Boeing's firm order book, having been excluded earlier due to U.S. accounting regulations.
As of April 30th, Boeing had secured 249 gross orders and 212 net orders after accounting for cancellations and conversions. The company's backlog of unfilled orders stood at a substantial 6,282, with an official backlog of 5,643 orders after adjustments based on accounting standards.
Despite the positive delivery figures for April, Boeing continues to trail its European competitor Airbus. In the same month, Airbus delivered 56 jets and booked 11 new orders. Both manufacturers have secured significant orders in May, including a substantial order from IAG, the parent company of British Airways, for 32 Boeing 787-10 aircraft for British Airways and 21 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft.