US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing has reported that it sold 1,044 commercial aircraft last year, representing a record $124bn in forward orders.

This total beats its previous best-year figure of 1,002, although it still falls short of the record set by Airbus last year of 1,055. Airbus is not likely to report sales above 700 aircraft for 2006 however, for reasons that are now well documented.
Boeing has not been slow to point out that 2006 is the first year in five that the US company has beaten its European competitor. The star performer in the Boeing product range was the 737, which won 729 orders. The 737 is regarded as the workhorse of most airline fleets and is still popular despite entering its 40th year.
Both Boeing and Airbus whose A320 family competes with the 737, have benefited from the growth in low-cost carriers, which tend to favour these smaller, cheaper jets.
Sales of Boeing?s new 787 Dreamliner were also impressive as it took in 157 orders. The aircraft, which will be 50 per cent carbon fibre, is expected to enter service in 2009.