Boeing demotes to 2nd place as the world’s largest plane manufacturer as Airbus delivers 863 jets in 2019

Owing to the recent complications, Boeing had to give up its longstanding title of being the world’s largest planemaker to Airbus. While the former had the title since 2011, sources have reported that Airbus exceeded the number of delivered aircraft as compared to Boeing in 2019. Beating its own forecast as well, Airbus delivered a total of 863 aircraft last year.

This move was expected due to the Boeing’s ongoing crisis involving the 737 MAX, as the plane remained grounded for investigation since March 2019. As per the analysts, Boeing is likely to find it increasingly difficult to regain its lost position in the future.

Airbus Beats Its Own Forecast Of Delivering 860 Jets In 2019

Earlier in October, industrial issues had seen Airbus curtail its delivery goal by 2% to 3% for 2019. Thanks to the company’s utter commitment to hitting the goal, it, however, deployed additional resources in the second half of 2019 to beat its revised forecast of delivering 860 jets in 2019.

In 2018, the company delivered 800 planes – thereby achieving a 7.9% increase in 2019. However, these figures are not audited and/or finalized as yet which is why Airbus has not officially divulged information regarding the news.

Boeing, on the other hand, successfully delivered 345 long-haul jets till November, which is more than fifty percent less than the grand 704 that the plane manufacturer delivered in 2018. In 2018, a total of 806 planes were delivered by the former leading plane maker. The figures evidently show that the 737 Max’s production and delivery halt has led to problems for the company.

Airbus Diverted Massive Labor To Work On Semi-Finished Airplanes

Airbus was previously confronted with a delay in fitting new layouts in its A321 Neo Jets due to the added sophistication and complexity of its systems. The record-breaking figure of 863 jets including 640 single-aisle aircraft, however, was achieved as the company diverted a huge workforce from other tasks and appointed them to complete the semi-finished aircraft. The company did also have to cancel many of the holidays that the workers had previously applied for.

Despite the delays, however, the increased number of aircraft deliveries is likely to save Airbus against losses. As per the analysts, however, Airbus has thus far failed to take proper advantage of Boeing’s 737 Max complication.

Although Airbus’s production plants usually do not operate during the holidays, this year was an exception and plants were highly active till December 31st in order to meet production targets.