Boeing aircraft orders top 1,000 for year so far

Boeing reported Thursday that aircraft orders topped 1,000 for the year so far, placing it ahead in the competition with European rival Airbus.

The Chicago-based company had 1,013 net orders as of September 16, according to its weekly list of orders and deliveries.

The tally, which reflects finalized orders, did not include its September 8 deal with Ryanair for 100 jetliners valued at $11 billion at catalog prices.

With little more than three months left in the year, Boeing is on pace to surpass the 1,355 orders booked in 2013.

Airbus last year scored the most orders in aerospace history, with 1,503 jetliners sold as the airline industry showed solid growth.

But since the beginning of 2014, the European company has lagged far behind Boeing. In late August, Airbus only had 722 net orders.

In the past week Boeing added 78 new orders, mostly for its best-selling 737s, but it only revealed the name of one buyer: Irish leasing firm Avolon, which ordered five 737s and six 787 Dreamliners.

As of September 16, Boeing had booked 729 net orders for the 737 and delivered 461 aircraft.