Market Intelligence: -Airline Aircraft Orders

Boeing Nears Targeted 737 MAX Production Rate of 38 Aircraft Per Month

USA – Boeing is showing positive momentum towards stabilizing production of its 737 MAX aircraft at 38 units per month, a limit that was enforced by U.S. regulators in early 2024.

  • Boeing Commercial Airplanes VP of Quality Doug Ackerman said the company expects to stabilize monthly output at 38 aircraft “in the next couple of months.”

  • According to media report’s sources indicated the manufacturer is on track to produce around 38 aircraft by the end of May 2025.

  • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had capped monthly production at 38 units after a door plug detached from a 737 MAX 9 in January 5, 2024.

  • The FAA subsequently conducted a thorough production audit, increased oversight, and required Boeing to present a comprehensive plan to improve production quality.

In its latest Chief Aerospace Safety Officer Report, Boeing reported a 220% increase in employee reports submitted via the company’s “Speak Up” tool between 2023 and 2024, an indication of growing internal transparency and issue reporting.

AFM team note – in 2018 Boeing achieved a peak month of 52 B737MAX aircraft per month.

Source: Boeing and Media Reporting

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Boeing Delivers 45 Jets in April 2025 – Gains Momentum

United States – Boeing delivered 45 commercial aircraft in April 2025, nearly doubling its April 2024 figure of 24, as the U.S. manufacturer continues efforts to stabilize output.

  • The deliveries included 29 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with major customers including United Airlines (8), Ryanair (5), and Southwest Airlines (5).

  • The company also delivered eight 787 Dreamliners, four 777 freighters, three 767s, and one 777 freighter

  • Boeing has delivered 175 aircraft in the first four months of 2025, including 133 737 MAXs, 21 787s, and 11 777 freighters.

  • April marked the fourth consecutive month of Boeing delivering more than 40 jets.

  • Boeing recorded eight new gross orders in April (all for the 737 MAX), bringing its 2025 total to 249 gross orders and 212 net orders, with a backlog of 5,643 orders after accounting adjustments.

Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing (shown as meta image)

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Airbus Delivers First of 9 A321neo Aircraft to Kuwait Airways

France & Kuwait – Airbus has delivered the first A321neo aircraft to Kuwait Airways, the national carrier of Kuwait. This delivery is part of a larger fleet modernisation initiative by the airline aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and passenger experience.

  • The A321neo is the first of nine aircraft ordered by Kuwait Airways.

  • This delivery supports the airline’s ongoing fleet renewal strategy and growth plans.

  • The A321neo will support regional and medium-haul operations, complementing Kuwait Airways’ current fleet of nine A320neo and six A330neo aircraft.

  • The aircraft is capable of operating with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aligning with Airbus’ target of 100% SAF capability by 2030.

  • Globally, over 7,000 A321neo aircraft have been ordered by more than 95 customers.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus

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Qatar Airways Makes Historic Deals; Largest Boeing Widebody Order in its History and Largest Widebody Engine Deal in GE Aerospace History

  • Boeing Agreement is up to 210 aircraft; 130 787 Dreamliners setting the record as the largest Dreamliner order, and 30 777-9 aircraft, plus 50 option Boeing 787 and 777-9 Aircraft
  • GE Aerospace Agreement for more than 400 GE9X and GEnx engines 
  • Deals announced during President Trump’s visit with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Amir of the State of Qatar 

Doha, Qatar – Qatar Airways, on May 14, 2025, announced that the carrier has placed the largest aircraft order in its history with manufacturing partner Boeing.  As part of its strategic fleet growth plan, the landmark order includes up to 210 Boeing widebody jets – 160 firm and 50 option – which is the largest widebody order and the largest 787 Dreamliner order in the American aerospace company’s history.

Qatar Airways has also signed an agreement GE Aerospace for more than 400 engines, including 60 GE9X and 260 GEnx engines, with additional options and spares, to power its next-generation Boeing 777-9 and Boeing 787 aircraft – the largest widebody engine purchase in the history of GE Aerospace.

An industry leader, Qatar Airways has been named World’s Best Airline by Skytrax for an unprecedented eight times, and is further investing in its fleet as part of its long-term growth strategy.

Qatar Airways’ Historic Boeing Widebody Order

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “We are happy to announce our agreement with Boeing and our partnership in the largest widebody aircraft order in Boeing’s history and the biggest aircraft order in our history. This is a critical next step for Qatar Airways on our path as we invest in the cleanest, youngest and most efficient fleet in global aviation.  This is so we can meet the strong demand in the airline as we seamlessly connect passengers to the world better than anyone.”

He continued: “After two consecutive years of record-breaking commercial performance and with this historic Boeing aircraft order – we’re not simply chasing scale; we’re building strength that will allow us to continue to deliver our unmatched products and customer experiences. We thank our partners at Boeing for answering the call and look forward to a future of continued smart growth together.”

The order includes:

  • 130 787 Dreamliners, the long-range, ultra-efficient widebody airplane family that has delivered a 25% fuel-use improvement and superior comfort for passengers.
  • 30 777-9s, the world’s largest twin-engine airplane that is designed to set new standards in efficiency by reducing fuel use and emissions by 25% compared to the airplanes it replaces, while elevating the passenger flight experience.
  • Options for an additional 50 787 and 777X airplanes.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO, Stephanie Pope, said: “We are deeply honoured that Qatar Airways has placed this record-breaking order with Boeing, one that solidifies their future fleet with our market-leading widebody airplane family at its centre. Our team is looking forward to building 787s and 777s for Qatar Airways into the next decade as they connect more people and businesses around the world with unmatched efficiency and comfort.”

Qatar Airways currently operates more than 150 Boeing airplanes, including 777 and 787 passenger jets and 777 Freighters. With this new purchase, Qatar Airways will become the largest Dreamliner operator in the Middle East.

Qatar Airways’ Largest Widebody Engine Deal in GE Aerospace History

The new GE Aerospace agreements solidify the company’s commitment to Qatar’s thriving aviation industry and build on the previous order for 188 GE9X engines, bringing the total to 248 engines. The addition of GEnx engines for the Boeing 787 fleet supplements their existing 124 engine order, further strengthening the national carrier’s commitment to efficiency and performance.  The two deals also include service agreements to cover the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of the GEnx and GE9X engines.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Our latest agreement with GE Aerospace reflects our confidence in the performance of the GE9X and GEnx engines to power our fleet of Boeing 777-9 and 787 aircraft. These next-generation engines are critical components in our strategy to ensure our fleet remains modern and efficient. Qatar Airways has ambitious plans for the future, and we value our continued partnership with GE Aerospace and their commitment to supporting our operational needs.” 

GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO, H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., said: “We are extremely honoured to deepen our relationship with Qatar Airways and grateful to them for placing their trust in us with our largest ever widebody engine deal. Our widebody engines – the GE9X and GEnx – are marvels of modern engineering, with the durability and reliability to power flight across the longest distances. We appreciate President Trump’s support for this historic agreement.”

Qatar Airways has one of the most modern fleets in the industry and these historic orders with Boeing and GE Aerospace will solidify that leadership for years to come.

About Boeing
A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defence products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity. 

About GE Aerospace
GE Aerospace is a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems leader with an installed base of approximately 45,000 commercial and 25,000 military aircraft engines. With a global team of approximately 53,000 employees building on more than a century of innovation and learning, GE Aerospace is committed to inventing the future of flight, lifting people up, and bringing them home safely.

Source: Qatar Airways
Photo Credit: Qatar Airways

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Etihad Airways Places Order for 28 Widebody Boeing Aircraft – Plans to Almost Double Boeing Fleet

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – during the visit of US President Donald Trump it was announced that the Abu Dhabi based flag carrier would be ordering another 28 Boeing widebody aircraft, a mix of Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft according to media reports.

Etihad Airways currently operates 57 Boeing aircraft with plans to operate 94 in 2035.

“Since 2023, the airline has steadily grown its fleet as part of a long-term strategy to double in size by 2030,” the UAE airline said in a statement.

According to media reports, the White House has confirmed that Boeing and GE will benefit from Etihad’s USD 14.5 billion commitment for the aircraft deal.

Etihad Airways currently operates:

  • 9x B777-300ER
  • 5x B777-200F
  • 43x B787

Etihad Airways recently reported an April 205 load factor of 89% and is on track to surpass 21 million guests in 2025.

Source: Media Reports and Etihad Airways

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