Dow Jones Newswires | Boeing Co. said it delivered 108 commercial aircraft during the
first quarter, fewer than what it delivered in the fourth quarter and a
year earlier.

The aircraft maker and defense contractor was finally able to get the
long-delayed Dreamliner aloft in December, but the company’s flight-test
program for the new jetliner is still running behind schedule. Boeing
said it will deliver the first of the planes by year end.

Boeing’s latest results were under the 122 deliveries it had in the fourth quarter and the 121 a year earlier.

The bulk of deliveries in the latest quarter — 86 — were 737 next-generation planes. Boeing also delivered four Apache helicopters and several other defense systems machines, including other helicopters and fighter jets.

Boeing is scheduled to release its full first-quarter results on April 21.

Meanwhile, rival Airbus, part of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. NV, said Thursday it has delivered 122 aircraft since the beginning of the year. It received 60 new orders in the first quarter.

Boeing’s shares were recently down 43 cents to $71.66.