New York: Boeing Co said yesterday that it delivered 723 jetliners in 2014, setting an industry record and retaining its title as the world’s biggest plane maker in 2014, besting rival Airbus Group. Boeing also set company records for orders, booking 1,550 gross orders and 1,432 net orders, which account for cancellations, in 2014. The company’s net orders, while up nearly 6 percent from 2013, probably will not knock Airbus out of the top spot for booking new business. Boeing’s gross orders rose about 1 percent from 2013. Boeing’s 2014 orders set Airbus a challenge in avoiding being beaten on that front, too. Analysts say it is too early to say which manufacturer will actually win, as Airbus strives to confirm hundreds of provisional orders ahead of its annual news conference on January 13. Reuters
