(.)

SEATTLE, March 11 (Reuters) - Boeing ( BA ) said on

Tuesday it delivered 44 aircraft in February, up from 27 in the

same month a year ago, as it works to stabilize and then

increase production of its 737 MAX and 787 models.

It was only slightly behind January when the planemaker's 45

deliveries were the company's best for a single month since

2023.

In February, Boeing's ( BA ) deliveries included 32 of its

best-selling 737 MAX single-aisle jets and five 787 widebody

planes.

Aircraft deliveries are closely watched by Wall Street

because planemakers collect the majority of their payment when

they hand over jets to customers.

The U.S. planemaker booked 13 gross orders, plus eight

cancellations, for a net total of five orders in February.

The 13 new orders were all for 737 MAX jets.

Included among them was an order by Singapore-based lessor

BOC Aviation ( BCVVF ) for five MAX planes, which it plans to

lease to Dominican Republic-based carrier Arajet, which canceled

its own order for five MAXs.

The cancellations included Florida-based cargo carrier

Western Global Airlines abandoning orders for two 777

freighters.

Through the first two months of the year, Boeing ( BA ) booked 41

net orders, compared to 65 net orders for its European rival

Airbus.