DOW JONES NEWSWIRES Boeing Co.'s (BA) first-quarter commercial aircraft deliveries climbed 32% from a year earlier and also strengthened from the prior quarter. Both Boeing and Airbus, a unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. EADS NV (EADSY, EAD.FR), have been aiming to ramp up production as airlines increasingly are demanding more fuel-efficient jets and as air travel expands in Asia and the Middle East. Boeing's commercial segment has seen strong growth as it been tackling a mountain of orders for its best-selling 737 jets. In the latest period, Boeing reported 137 deliveries of commercial aircraft, including 99 for its 737 next generation planes. A year earlier its delivered 104 commercial aircraft, including 87 of the 737 next generation line. Commercial deliveries were up 7.9% from 128 in the fourth quarter of last year. Most deliveries under its defense, space and security programs were F/A-18E/F and EA-18G fighter jets, followed by new builds of Chinook helicopters. Shares were up 7 cents, at $73.74 in recent trading. -By Tess Stynes, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2481; Tess.Stynes@dowjones.com
