Boeing maintains deliveries in 2nd-quarter

Boeing Co. delivered 125 commercial jets in the second quarter, one less than the same period in 2008.

The aerospace manufacturer said for the three month-period it delivered 99 of its 737s _ the company's best-selling jet _ and 21 777s. In the same period last year, Boeing delivered 100 737s and 18 777s.

Other deliveries included two 747s and three 767s, according to figures posted Thursday on Boeing's Web site.

To date this year, Boeing has delivered 246 planes up from the 241 planes in the period of 2008.

Boeing has struggled with slumping orders for its jets as the recessions dampens demand for air travel and cargo services.

Qantas Airways Ltd. last week canceled orders for some of Boeing's long-awaited 787 jetliners and delayed delivery of orders as the recession slows air travel and tight credit hampers purchases of new aircraft.

Qantas and Chicago-based Boeing agreed to postpone delivery of 15 787-8s by four years and canceled orders for 15 B787-9s, a slightly larger plane.

The Australian national airline has said Boeing's announcement to delay the first test flight because of structural problems had nothing to do with its decision. The airline indicated two months ago that it was renegotiating with Boeing the delivery of 787s, ordered in 2005.

Last week, Boeing said it will need to reinforce small areas near the connection of the wings and fuselage before conducting the test fly, which the company insisted would occur before July.

A revised schedule for the flight, as well as first deliveries to customers, will not be announced for several weeks.

Deliveries of the long-range widebody have been delayed four times already. Customers had expected to get the first of the new jets in the first quarter of 2010 _ nearly two years behind schedule. Some 58 orders have been canceled this year.

Shares of Boeing fell $1.40, or 3.3 percent, to close at $40.83 Thursday.