FLORIDA- Airbus secures major order from undisclosed customer, bolstering September sales figures. The order, placed on September 5, includes 85 aircraft: 10 A350s (5 A350-1000s and 5 A350-900s) and 75 A320neo-family jets (55 A321neos and 20 A320neos).
On the other hand, Boeing reported new orders in September, though at a much smaller scale than its European rival. The American aerospace giant received orders for 65 aircraft, comprising 54 737 MAX and 11 777F freighters.
Airbus, Boeing Sep Orders and Deliveries
Airbus reported a strong September performance, with the company receiving orders for 235 aircraft during the month.
European plane maker secures major orders in September, with lessor CDB Aviation ordering 80 single-aisle jets and Philippines’ Cebu Pacific firming 70 aircraft.
The European manufacturer delivered 50 jets during the month, including 41 from the A320neo family. Airbus’s net orders for the first three quarters of 2024 reached 648 aircraft, with total deliveries of 497.
Despite facing challenges from an ongoing machinists’ strike, Boeing managed to deliver 33 737 MAX aircraft in September 2024. This figure represents a decrease from August’s 40 deliveries
Boeing delivered 33 jets in September, comprising 27 737 MAX, one 737NG-based P-8 military surveillance jet, one 767-300 Freighter, and four 787s.
The American manufacturer faced no order cancellations but adjusted its backlog, moving 66 orders to a separate accounting category due to potential closure uncertainties. This adjustment reduced Boeing’s end-September backlog to 5,456 jets, including 4,137 737 Max, down from 5,490 at August-end.
Boeing Machinists Strike Halts Production
Boeing’s aircraft production in the Pacific Northwest halted on September 13 when 33,000 members of the International Association of Machinists (IAM) initiated a strike over pay and benefits disputes.
The work stoppage affects 737 production in Renton and 767 and 777 production in Everett. Boeing continues 787 production at its non-unionized North Charleston, North Carolina facility.
IAM members play a crucial role in delivering 737s, 767s, and 777s from the Pacific Northwest facilities. Despite the strike, Boeing managed to deliver some jets using non-striking workers in September. The company has a backlog of produced 737 Max aircraft awaiting delivery.
Boeing declines to specify the number of deliveries made after the strike’s commencement on September 13.
Talks Failed
Boeing withdrew its pay offer to 33,000 International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) members after two days of unsuccessful negotiations.
The company claimed to have proposed new improvements, including increased take-home pay, but union negotiators deemed these changes minor and insufficient.
Jon Holden, IAM District 751 President and lead negotiator, revealed to Reuters that Boeing’s improvements primarily focused on minimum guarantees for annual performance bonuses. However, the company did not address the union’s main demand for higher wages.
Holden criticized Boeing for attempting to take credit for minimal concessions that failed to address major issues.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes head Stephanie Pope stated that further negotiations were futile, accusing the union of not seriously considering their proposals. Pope described the union’s demands as “non-negotiable” in a note to employees.
The strike, now approaching its one-month mark, stems from the union’s demand for a 40% pay rise over four years and the reinstatement of a defined-benefit pension eliminated a decade ago. Workers previously rejected a 25% pay rise offer, with over 90% voting against it.
Boeing’s latest offer, described as its “best and final,” proposed a 30% raise and the restoration of a performance bonus. However, a union survey indicated this offer still fell short of members’ expectations.
Holden emphasized that Boeing’s withdrawal of its offer is significant, as some union members desire to vote on it. He assured that the union possesses a robust fund to support strike pay but refrained from characterizing the negotiations as deadlocked.
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