Airbus Surges Ahead in Aircraft Deliveries Amid Deepening Boeing Crisis

As the challenges confronting Boeing escalate, the aviation giant finds itself falling further behind its principal rival, Airbus, in the ongoing race for aircraft deliveries.

In February, Boeing delivered only 27 aircraft, while Airbus handed over 49, further extending its lead in the delivery race, according to Bloomberg.

Airbus Extends Lead as Boeing's Market Struggles Intensify

Spectators view the Airbus A-380, the world's largest passenger liner, during the plane's first public appearance at the 46th Paris Air Show June 13, 2005 in the Paris suburb of Le Bourget, France.
(Photo : Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Boeing's stock has taken a beating this year, plummeting by 29%, resulting in a market valuation that now trails Airbus by a record margin. With Boeing's market capitalization at $112 billion, it lags behind Airbus by approximately $24 billion, as of the market's close on Tuesday.

This significant difference arises following heightened scrutiny on Boeing, compounded by a string of setbacks such as fatal crashes and extended groundings of its aircraft.

The turning point came in mid-2022, when Boeing's outlook disappointed investors, leading to a reversal in its market supremacy over Airbus. Since then, Boeing has struggled to maintain its lead, with recent negative developments exacerbating its market woes.

The latest blow to Boeing's prospects came with United Airlines Holdings Inc.'s Chief Executive Officer, Scott Kirby, indicating a preference for Airbus' A321, signaling a potential loss of market share for Boeing.

Boeing's ongoing struggles with quality control issues and production delays, exemplified by the recent incident involving a door plug on an Alaska Airlines Max 9, continue to impede its delivery schedules.

Airline Industry Feels Ripple Effects of Boeing's Delivery Woes

The impact of Boeing's delivery delays is reverberating throughout the airline industry, with carriers like Southwest Airlines and United Airlines compelled to revise their capacity plans and fleet strategies.

Southwest Airlines, which operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet, is trimming its capacity projections due to fewer Max deliveries, prompting a reevaluation of its financial forecasts for 2024, according to a statement released Tuesday.

Similarly, United Airlines has opted to remove the Max 10 from its fleet plans for the year.

Boeing's delivery figures for February included 17 Max jetliners and seven wide-body 787-9 Dreamliners. However, the company's ability to fulfill orders is crucial as customers typically make substantial payments upon receiving the aircraft.

Despite the challenges facing Boeing, customer loyalty remains intact, with American Airlines recently placing an order for 260 narrow-body airplanes from Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer.

As Boeing grapples with quality control issues and production delays, its market position continues to erode, prompting concerns within the airline industry and among investors about the company's long-term viability.