Boeing Took Record 1,413 Orders in 2007

Boeing on Thursday reported an industry record of 1,413 firm commercial plane orders for 2007, setting up a photo-finish with rival Airbus, which reports its annual order tally later this month.

Boeing’s net total –which excludes orders that were subsequently canceled and takes account of orders converted into different plane models- beats its previous record of 1,044 in 2006 and tops Airbus’s industry record of 1,055 net orders in 2005.

Airbus had 1,204 gross orders at the end of November, not adjusted for cancellations or conversions. It is expected to announce its tally of net orders over the next few weeks.

Between them, Boeing and Airbus are set to post more than 2,500 orders for the year, an industry record easily beating the previous best of 2,057 net orders in 2005.

The massive tally marks the third year of the boom in commercial plane sales, as a resurgence in travel after the attacks of September 11, 2001 pushed airlines to expand and update their fleets.

Boeing’s orders alone this year are worth more than $150 billion at list prices. The single-aisle 737 remains its most popular plane, followed by the new, lightweight 787 Dreamliner, which is set to have its maiden flight in the next few months.

Industry analysts do not expect this year’s orders to set new records, as many big buyers have made large orders and high oil prices are already forcing some airlines to cut capacity.