Boeing beats Airbus on Q1 jetliner data, rejigs backlog

Boeing outsold rival Airbus almost four to one in Q1 and increased deliveries by a stronger-than-expected 9% compared with the same period last year, company data showed on Tuesday. Both sets of numbers reflect higher demand for Boeing’s best-selling 737 jetliners, with 184 commercial aircraft delivered in the three months to end-March, including 132 of the single-aisle workhorse jet. Though it too has seen strong demand for its single-aisle A320neo, Airbus is struggling to keep up deliveries due mainly to engine issues, with deliveries down 11% in Q1, prompting it to juggle priorities. At the same time, Boeing has seen a rebound in new orders after losing last year’s race. It booked 221 net aircraft orders after cancellations in Q1, well ahead of the 45 bagged by Airbus during the same period.<br/>