CHICAGO: Boeing said that its first-quarter (Q1) revenue from commercial airplanes decreased to $4.3 billion driven by lower 787 deliveries, as against a revenue of $6.2 billion during Q1 2020, marking a fall of 31%.
First-quarter operating margin improved to -20.1% (-33% in Q1 2020), primarily due to higher 737 deliveries and lower period costs. The company delivered 77 commercial airplanes in the quarter, as compared to 50 in Q1 2020, an increase of 54%.
Boeing is continuing to make progress on the safe return to service of the 737 MAX worldwide, a company statement said.
“In addition, we are working closely with the FAA and our customers to address electrical issues identified in certain locations in the flight deck of select 737 MAX airplanes. Since the FAA’s approval to return the 737 MAX to operations in November 2020, Boeing has delivered more than 85 737 MAX aircraft and 21 airlines have returned their fleets to service, safely flying more than 26,000 revenue flights totaling over 58,500 flight hours (as of April 26, 2021),” the statement said.
The 737 programs are currently producing at a low rate and continue to expect to gradually increase production to 31 per month in early 2022 with further gradual increases to correspond with market demand. The company will continue to assess the production rate plan as it monitors the market environment and engages in customer discussions.
The company also resumed 787 deliveries in late March, following comprehensive reviews to ensure each airplane meets the company’s highest standards. During the quarter, the 787 programs consolidated final assembly to Boeing South Carolina and transitioned to the previously announced production rate of 5 aircraft per month.
“Commercial Airplanes continues to work closely with global regulators on all aspects of 777X development, including its rigorous test program, and the company still expects to deliver the first 777X in late 2023. As previously announced, the combined 777/777X production rate is transitioning to 2 aircraft per month,” Boeing said.
Commercial Airplanes secured orders for 100 737 aircraft from Southwest Airlines, 25 737 aircraft from United Airlines, 23 737 aircraft from Alaska Airlines, and four 747 freighter aircraft from Atlas Air. Commercial Airplanes delivered 77 airplanes during the quarter and the backlog included over 4,000 airplanes valued at $283 billion.
