Boeing plans to increase production in '05

Airbus rival Boeing says it is planning to increase production to320 planes in 2005.

That comes after a year in which it has seen orders increase by 14per cent to 272 in 2004, while it delivered 285 planes.

The US company, which is the only other company apart from Airbusto make larger commercial airliners, said successes during the yearhad included the launch of its new 7E7 Dreamliner, pictured above,and 747 freighter planes.

So far there have been 126 orders and commitments for the 7E7,including 56 firm orders, from eight airlines.

But overall it has had deposits for nearly 250 of the planes.

Alan Mulally, Boeing commercial airplanes president …