Boeing Got 502 Orders In 1997

Boeing Co. finished 1997 with 502 net commercial jet orders worth $39.1 billion. In all, Boeing had 568 announced orders worth $42.8 billion, but 66 orders were either canceled or converted to other aircraft models, Boeing said.

Boeing’s archrival, Europe’s Airbus Industrie, has said it had firm orders for 460 planes worth $29.6 billion in 1997.

Comparing the gross figures, that would give Boeing 55 percent of the commercial jet market in number of aircraft ordered, and 59 percent in dollar value. A net order figure from Airbus was not immediately available, and an Airbus spokeswoman could not be reached for comment.

Boeing pegged Airbus’ net orders at 438 planes worth $27.8 billion. Using that figure, Boeing had 53 percent of the aircraft ordered and 58 percent of the dollar value.

Boeing traditionally has dominated the commercial jet market, with about 60 percent of the market. In 1996, its share was 64 percent. However 1997’s figures for Boeing include McDonnell Douglas, with which Boeing merged last summer.