In July, Boeing delivered fewer airplanes than its European competitor Airbus, due to logistical and supply chain issues impacting their top-selling 737 narrowbody jet. The company delivered 43 aircraft, a decrease from the 60 planes delivered in June, and over 20 planes less than those delivered by Airbus.
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The deliveries for the narrowbody 737 MAX dropped from 48 in June to 32 in July, which is the lowest it has been since April when the company discovered that brackets were improperly installed on around 75% of their 737 inventory.
CEO Dave Calhoun stated in July that ongoing repairs to the bracket defect, a work stoppage at supplier Spirit AeroSystems, and a bridge collapse impacting railway deliveries of the 737 fuselage could result in a few lost deliveries in the third quarter. In August, Boeing announced an increase in 737 production from 31 jets to 38 jets per month, but CFO Brian West said that it would take time to consistently deliver at that level. In addition to the MAXs, Boeing delivered four 787 Dreamliners, three 767s, three 777 freighters, and one Next-Generation 737 that will be converted into a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft for the U.S. Navy.
Over the course of the month, the company booked 52 gross orders, including a previously reported sale of 39 Dreamliners to Saudia, with no cancellations. Airbus booked 60 gross orders in July. Boeing's gross orders since January rose to 579 in July, or 467 net orders after factoring in cancellations and conversions, and 659 net orders after accounting adjustments. Overall, Boeing's commercial backlog increased from 4,879 to 4,928. Rival Airbus booked 1,140 gross orders, or 1,101 after cancellations, through the end of July.