Boeing delivered less than half the number of commercial aircraft to customers than its European rival in 2024, The American aerospace giant reported on Tuesday that it supplied 348 jetliners during the year.

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 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 ended 2024 with 569 gross orders (317 net, 377 before accounting changes), compared to Airbus’ 878 gross orders (826 net). As of December 31, 2024, the US-based plane maker had 6,245 unfilled orders, presumably gross.

Boeing sees a rebound in commercial plane deliveries in December after strike, but yearly numbers hit pandemic lows.

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.