Boeing and Airbus Report Increases in Aircraft Deliveries

Boeing and Airbus have been reporting for the last several years that the airline industry will continue to grow by 5% over the next twenty years, and have reported that industry is expanding much faster than the group of new qualified commercial pilots that are available. This is creating a growing shortage of airline pilots required to fly those aircraft. Now, both Airbus and Boeing reported first-quarter deliveries were up over the year-ago quarter, increasing the demand for new commercial pilots to be trained. Airbus delivered 131 aircraft in the first quarter of this year, up 12 compared to 119 aircraft in the 2011 first quarter. In the first quarter of 2012, Airbus delivered 10 A319s, 79 A320s, 15 A321s, 10 A330-200s, one A330-200F, 12 A330-300s and four A380s. Boeing delivered 137 aircraft in the first quarter, up 33 compared to 104 aircraft the 2011 first quarter. In the 2012 first-quarter, Boeing delivered 137 aircraft, comprising 99 737NextGens, six 747s, seven 767s, 20 777s and five 787s.