Airbus is set to overtake Boeing as the world's biggest planemaker for the first time in eight years due to the prolonged 737 Max grounding.
In new figures released, Boeing reported 239 commercial plane deliveries in 2019, a 37% drop for the first half of the year, while its European rivals reported it handed over 389 planes in the same period, up 28% from a year earlier.
If the numbers continue on this course Airbus would overtake Boeing marking a significant moment in the aviation industry.
Boeing's big decline in deliveries is due to the grounding of its top-selling plane since mid-March following two crashes that killed 346 people.
A new problem identified with the grounded Max jets last month has delayed the aircraft’s entry into service until at least the end of September.
It seemed the tide was beginning to turn for Boeing when the planemaker announced it signed a letter of intent to sell 200 737 Max planes to British Airways parent International Airlines Group.
But the IAG order has not been officially booked yet.
On Monday, Saudi budget carrier flyadeal said it withdrew a provisional order for up to 50 Boeing's grounded 737 Max jets and would instead buy up to 50 Airbus planes.