Statistics released Thursday by Airbus showed that commercial aircraft bookings for 78 airplanes in April increased its net order total for the year to 142, while Boeing’s order total for the month stood at 70, raising its 2014 net total as of May 6 to 291.
The 78 bookings logged by Airbus in April consisted of orders for 71 A320-family airplanes, including 64 A321ceos and seven A319ceos, reflecting what Airbus characterized as the current generation narrowbody’s sustained market appeal. Although American still holds orders for A320 family airplanes in both ceo (current engine option) and neo (new engine option) configurations, the direct order for 71 ceos booked in April reflects a change in plans by the airline to acquire those airplanes from leasing companies. American has also decided to exercise its right to convert firm orders for 30 A320neos scheduled for delivery in 2021 and 2022 to options, decreasing its firm order total for neos from 130 to 100, the airline said in a report detailing its first quarter financial results. It still holds firm orders for a total of 130 of the current generation of A320-family jets.
Boeing, meanwhile, on April 30 booked firm orders for three 737s from Turkmenistan Airlines and seven of the narrowbodies from unidentified customers. By May 6, however, it saw its 737 net order total cut by seven airplanes, resulting in net orders for the type to 285. Its year-to-date firm order total of 291 also includes a single 747, a single 787 and four 777s.
In the deliveries category, the 52 aircraft sent to Airbus customers during the month involved 40 A320 family jetliners and 12 A330s, bringing 2014 deliveries to 193 total aircraft for 61 customers. Boeing’s 56 deliveries in April included eight 777s, eight 787s and one 747-8. The company has delivered 217 commercial airplanes this year.