Boeing, Airbus share honours in 2013 orders/deliveries race - but it's not about winners and losers

The not-quite-friendly competition between Boeing and Airbus, as to who can take the most orders and deliver the most aircraft, has seen mixed honours awarded for 2013.

Boeing announced its full year tally last week, delivering 648 aircraft and taking 1,355 orders net of cancellations (1,531 gross). Airbus announced its own orders and deliveries at the beginning of this week. The manufacturer delivered 626 aircraft for 2013 and announced firm orders of 1,503 aircraft (1,619 gross).

But the more important statistic is simply the enormously successful year for both major manufacturers, with ATR, Bombardier and Embraer also experiencing solid growth in 2013 orders and deliveries.

Fuel prices and strong travel demand have pushed the numbers up, but 2014 is less likely to create new records as massive backlogs outweigh production rates.