SEATTLE (Reuters) - Boeing ( BA ) delivered 41 jets in March, up from 29 during the same month a year ago, the company announced Tuesday, though the figure was slightly lower than the 45 handed over in January and 44 in February.

Through the first three months of the year, Boeing ( BA ) delivered 130 jets, including 104 of its best-selling 737 MAX. That is up from just 83 jet deliveries, including 66 MAXs, during the first quarter of 2024. 

Boeing's ( BA ) production and deliveries have been hampered in the last year by a labor strike, regulatory scrutiny and supply chain bottlenecks. 

An emerging trade war could further disrupt production. Key Boeing components supplier Howmet Aerospace ( HWM ) highlighted the risk when it told customers that tariffs implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump could force it to halt some shipments.

The company's European rival Airbus delivered 71 airplanes in March and 136 jets during the first three months of the year. A shortage of jet engines from GE and Safran joint venture CFM International constrained deliveries, according to Airbus.

Aircraft deliveries are closely tracked by Wall Street because planemakers collect the majority of their payment when they hand over jets to customers. Years of crises and production problems have left Boeing ( BA ) heavily saddled with debt, and it needs to increase deliveries to bring in more cash.

Boeing ( BA ) had its busiest month of the year so far for new orders in March, booking 163 net orders, including 192 gross orders and 29 cancellations. 

Of the orders, 88 were for 737 MAX aircraft, including 50 from Singapore-based leasing company BOC Aviation, 17 for Japan Airlines and 21 from unidentified customers.

It also received orders for 11 777 freighters, including eight for FedEx, as well as 40 777X orders - 20 for Korean Air Lines and 20 for unidentified customers. Boeing ( BA ) also recorded 53 787 orders, including 20 from Korean Air and 33 from unidentified customers. 

Through the first three months of the year, Boeing ( BA ) has booked 241 new orders. Adjusted for cancellations and conversions, Boeing ( BA ) recorded 204 net orders, increasing its order backlog to 5,648.