=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SF Gate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2003/01/06/f= inancial1355EST0122.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, January 6, 2003 (AP) Boeing's deliveries off 28 percent in 2002; meets lowered goal (01-06) 21:23 PST CHICAGO (AP) -- Boeing Co. said Monday it delivered 381 commercial airplanes in 2002 -- the fewest in five years but on target with its lowered estimate in the depressed aviation industry. The company said it delivered 86 planes in the fourth quarter to finish the year with one more delivery than its latest announced objective of 380. The year's total was down 28 percent from 527 deliveries in 2001, when t= he full impact of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks wasn't yet evident. With airlines mired in their worst slump throughout 2002, it was the fewest since 1997, when Boeing delivered 375 jets. The company also reported it secured 251 new orders for jets in 2002 -- its lowest tally since 1994, when airlines ordered 125 jets. About 65 percent of the orders -- 162 -- were for Boeing's popular single-aisle 737. Boeing also secured orders for 32 777s, 17 747s, eight 767s and 32 717s. The Chicago-based aerospace manufacturer did not have any orders for the single-aisle 757 jet, built in Renton, Wash., south of Seattle. That jet program is facing a dwindling backlog of orders and analysts have said they expect Boeing will have to cut its already slowed production rate of about two jets per month. Competitor Airbus announced orders for 177 jets in its data through Nov. 30. But that total does not include a 120-jet deal with British carrier easyJet that was finalized Dec. 30. For 2003, Boeing has said it expects deliveries to fall to between 275 a= nd 285 -- which could put the company in second place behind Airbus for production for the first time. Nearly 60 percent of the commercial airplanes it delivered in 2002, or a total of 223, were of its single-aisle 737. Boeing also delivered 47 of its twin-aisle 777s, and 35 767s, 29 757s, 27 747s and 20 717s. Boeing shares fell 5 cents to close at $34.13 Monday on the New York Sto= ck Exchange. On the Net: www.boeing.com =20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2003 AP