Boeing reports strong Q1 deliveries

Boeing has pushed to increase production of its popular 737 airliner. (Boeing)

Boeing has reported solid first quarter orders and deliveries as it pushes to make up lost ground on rival Airbus.

The US planemaker delivered 137 commercial aircraft during the first three months of 2012, a 32 per cent increase over last year. During the same period, Boeing took in orders for 412 aircraft.

Boeing’s deliveries were led by 99 of its single-aisle 737s, followed by 20 777s, seven 767s, six 747-8s and five 787s. The company has pushed to increase production of the popular 737 as it seeks to whittle down its backlog.

Thanks to a strong March, Airbus nearly matched Boeing’s delivery numbers, handing over 131 aircraft including 104 single aisle A320 Family airliners, 23 A330s and four A380s. But the European aerospace giant was well behind Boeing with 100 first quarter aircraft orders, including 89 single aisle jets, five A330s and six A350s.