Boeing manages to pip Airbus to the post in the year 2005

Boeing manages to pip Airbus to the post in the year 2005

The US based airplane company, Boeing, is looking well set to surpass its France based rival Airbus as its commercial aircraft orders increased three-fold to a record 1,002 in 2005.

If it does overtake Airbus, it will be for the first time after a hiatus of five years.
It received major orders for the Middle East and Asia.

Alan Mulally, head of Boeing's commercial aircraft unit said: “Clearly 2005 was an incredible year for our customers and for Boeing.”

Though Airbus has not disclosed its 2005 sales, it is expected that it has bagged around 800 orders in the last year.

Boeing also stated that it expects to outdo Airbus in 2008 in aircraft deliveries too.

However, Banc of America Securities revised its rating on shares of Boeing to 'neutral' from 'buy' as it expects Boeing to bag only around half the number of orders this year.

Boeing sales of aircraft was this year is put at around $112 billion.

In spite of the numbers, which were announced by the company Thursday, Boeing's stock did not see a surge.

It shares fell 84 cents on Thursday to $70.33.

Mulally is confident that even though their orders may come down in 2006, he expects it to be a strong year for the company.