Eric M. Johnson

SEATTLE (Reuters) – Boeing (NYSE) Co won an annual order race against European competitor Airbus SE (OTC) on an underlying base, but it lagged in deliveries. It continues to pull itself out slowly of a series of crises.

According to the U.S. planemaker, 535 of its net orders were placed after conversions and cancellations. These partial offsets were partly compensated by accounting adjustments. The gross orders totaled 909.

Boeing lost 479 of its competitors’ orders despite the upward accounting adjustments.

Airbus sold 771 aircrafts in 2021. That’s almost half the number of 2020.

Aircraft manufacturers are now seeing increased demand for cargo and medium-haul passenger aircraft, despite Omicron’s global concerns.

Boeing met all expectations regarding aircraft delivery. In 2021 they handed over 340 planes to their customers. This is up from 157 in 2020. However, it was down from 380 in 2019, and an unprecedented 806 jets for 2018.

The 2021 figures include 14 787 Dreamliner twinaisles, a significantly lower delivery count than the 41 it had in 2020. This is due to intensive inspections of production defects and delays caused by COVID-19.

Airbus produced 611 planes in 2021, maintaining its title as the largest jetmaker worldwide for the third consecutive year.

The latest Boeing data shows that Boeing shipped 38 aircrafts to its customers in December. This includes 32 737 MAX jets and one P-8 maritime patrol plane to Norway. There were also five widebodies.

Boeing placed 79 order after cancelations and when a buyer changed an order for a different type of aircraft. There was an Allegiant Air order for 50 737 MAX aircrafts and five Jets to an Unspecified Customer. 19 767 freighters were also ordered. United Parcel Service (NYSE:), Four 777 freighters to Atlas Air (NASDAQ)

As lockdowns increase e-shopping, Boeing is still the dominant force in freighter sales. This company placed 84 freighter orders in 2018, surpassing the previous record of just 83.

Airbus, for its part, placed the first A350 freighter orders – although partially through the swapping of existing cargo orders with passenger versions.