The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] reported a first-quarter loss, which it attributed in part to unusual expenses in its commercial aircraft operations, and the general effects of supply-chain difficulties. However, the company said its businesses are performing well, with increased revenue and plans to boost production of certain aircraft models.
The net loss totaled $425 million, or 69 cents per share, compared with a loss of $1.16 billion, or $2.06 per share, a year earlier. Revenue for the quarter rose 28 percent to $17.92 billion from $13.99 billion a year earlier.
“We delivered a solid first quarter and are focused on driving stability for our customers,” said Dave Calhoun, president and CEO of Boeing. “We are progressing through recent supply chain disruptions but remain confident in the goals we set for this year, as well as for the longer term.”
Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes operations reported a 60 percent revenue increase to $6.7 billion from $4.2 billion, benefiting from higher deliveries of 737 and 787 deliveries, partially offset by 787 customer considerations. The operating margin (of 9.2 percent) also reflects abnormal costs and period expenses, including research and development.
Boeing noted that the fuselage supplier for its 737 program recently told the company that methods affected certain fuselage fittings. While the resulting problems do not immediately threaten safety, the company said, correcting them will slow near-term production and deliveries. The company said it still expects to deliver 400 to 450 aircraft this year. Its plans include increasing production to 38 aircraft this year and to 50 per month during the 2025 to 2026 timeframe.
For the 787 program, Boeing said it is building three airplanes per month and plans to increase production to five per month in late 2023 and 10 per month during the 2025 and 2026 timeframe.
Commercial airplane orders totaled 107 during the quarter, and the company received commitments from Air India for 190 737 MAX, 20 787, and 10 777X aircraft, and from Riyadh Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines for up to 121 787 airplanes.
Boeing said it delivered 130 airplanes during the quarter and its backlog reached 4,500 airplanes with a value of $334 billion.
