Boeing delivered less than half the number of commercial aircraft to customers than its European rival in 2024 as the American aerospace giant's output suffered under intensified government scrutiny and a factory workers' strike,

Boeing must turn its fortunes around this year to avoid falling further behind Airbus, which plans a production increase as it fixes its supply chain.

Boeing handed over 348 airplanes in 2024, about a third fewer than it did a year earlier as the aerospace giant struggled with a crisis after a midair door panel blowout a year ago and a machinist strike in the fall that halted production.

Deliveries of new Boeing jets bounced back in December after a crippling labor strike that slowed production last fall, but the company's annual deliveries dropped in 2024 to the lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Boeing Co. delivered the fewest jets last year since the pandemic as the planemaker worked to restore confidence in its manufacturing after a turbulent year that included a two-month long strike and production curbs following a near-catastrophe.