Boeing loses $1.6 billion on fewer deliveries of airliners

Boeing reported a $1.64 billion loss for the third quarter on Wednesday as it delivered fewer copies of its best-selling plane and sunk more money into building two new Air Force One presidential jets. The aircraft maker lowered its forecast of 737 Max production to between 375 and 400 planes this year, down from a previous estimate of 400 to 450. Boeing said production and deliveries of 737s will be slowed as it does inspections and additional work to fix a pressure-sealing section of the planes. Boeing reported a $482 million loss in the quarter on a contract with the Air Force to build two new presidential jets because of higher estimated manufacturing costs. The company also lost $315 million on a satellite contract. The company, based in Arlington, Virginia, said that excluding special items it lost $3.26 per share in the quarter. Revenue rose 13% to $18.10 billion. Analysts expected the company to lose $3.18 per share on revenue of $18.01 billion, according to a FactSet survey of analysts. The company delivered 105 commercial planes in the quarter, down from 112 a year earlier, as it struggled with problems that slowed production of the 737 Max passenger jet. Deliveries of 737s slipped to 70 from 88 in the same period last year, but deliveries of 787 Dreamliners rose. CEO David Calhoun said that "despite near-term challenges, we remain on track to meet the financial goals we set for this year and for the long term." He said the company was working to stabilize its supply chain and steadily increase aircraft production rates. Shares of the company rose about 3% in premarket trading.