The combined order tally from the "big three" - Airbus, Boeing and McDonnell Douglas (MDC) - passed the 1,000 mark during 1996, for the first time since 1989, when 1,100 orders were taken. Provisional figures show that gross orders during the year totalled 1,006, of which Boeing took the lion's share with 645. Airbus, meanwhile, secured some 323 orders, and MDC 38. Boeing says that its total represents the second-highest dollar value in its history.
Source: Flight International