Airbus delivered 766 airliners in 2024 and looked certain to maintain leadership of the jetmaking industry for a sixth year as arch-rival Boeing recovers cautiously from a prolonged internal crisis, company data showed on Thursday.

European plane maker Airbus said Thursday it increased aircraft deliveries to 766 as the company still struggles to return to pre-pandemic production levels.Airbus and Boeing chopped production during the Covid crisis that started in 2019,

Airbus SE came within striking distance of its aircraft delivery target for 2024 by handing over 766 aircraft, the highest rate in six years as customers continue to refresh their fleets with more fuel-efficient aircraft like the A321neo model.

Airbus ended last year with 826 net orders, having delivered a total of 766 aircraft - just shy of the 770 target it had set. The airframer took orders for four long-haul jets in December - three A330-900s for Air Algerie plus a single A350-900 for an undisclosed customer.

Airbus delivered 766 planes in 2024, up 4%, and looked certain to remain the world's largest jetmaker for the sixth year in a row as rival Boeing recovers cautiously from a prolonged internal crisis,