PARIS (Reuters) – Airbus deliveries rose about 28% in the first half to just under 390 aircraft, putting the planemaker on course to beat crisis-hit Boeing in 2019 but handing it a record production task in the second half, industry sources said.

The working tally of as many as 389 deliveries – including 227 in the second quarter – leaves the European planemaker with around 500 planes to hand over in the second half of the year in order to meet an annual delivery goal of 880-890 airplanes.

This year’s mid-way Airbus delivery numbers are boosted partly by the Canadian A220, recently acquired from Bombardier.

Airbus declined comment. It is expected to issue first-half orders and deliveries on Monday. Operational numbers can vary before publication subject to confirmation by auditors.

First-half deliveries in 2018 had dipped 1% to 303 aircraft due mainly to delays in receiving A320neo engines.

While engine delays have eased, getting the cash-generating single-aisle program on track after separate industrial snags at a plant in Hamburg is one of the company’s top priorities.

Airbus will nonetheless reclaim its position as the world’s no.1 commercial aircraft producer for the first time since 2011 as deliveries of the Boeing 737 MAX remain frozen in the wake of two fatal accidents. Boeing delivered 202 planes up to May 31.

Reuters

Photo Rob Vogelaar