Boeing Delivers Fewer Jets Than Expected

Boeing Co. said it delivered 19 fewer commercial jets than it expected in its third quarter, a shortfall it blamed on last month’s terrorist attacks. The company also lowered its forecast for full-year sales to about 500 jets from the previous 538.

Chicago-based Boeing said it delivered 120 aircraft to domestic and international customers in the third quarter, including 29 after Sept. 11. Year-to-date commercial jet deliveries now total 383.

Military and space units were not affected by the event, Boeing said.

The company did not offer any new projections for 2002 deliveries, which now are estimated to be as few as 400, compared with 510 to 520 previously forecast.

The lowered totals come a week after Boeing announced plans to lay off 20% to 30% of its commercial airplanes employees, or as many as 30,000 workers, in the wake of the attacks that wreaked havoc in the airline industry.

Boeing shares rose $2.34 to close at $36.59 on the NYSE before the news was announced.