Another record

Boeing has set a company order record, selling a net 1,044 jets in 2006 for its 737 Next Generation single-aisle family. The order book is valued at $114 billion and pushes Boeing's production backlog to 2,455 aircraft, including more than 1,500 737s. Boeing is cashing in on the world's reliance on quick shipment of high-value items such as electronics, apparel, and perishables, particularly in Asian trade. A late surge across Boeing's product field pushed it to a new record order book in 2006. Freighter are sold for a premium price because they need higher performance and strengthened fuselages, and have a higher rate of return than passenger aircraft.