Boeing plane orders tumble in April

PITTSBURGH — Boeing Co. says orders for its jetliners fell by more than 70 percent in April as the economic downturn continued to dampen demand from airlines and cargo planes.

The Chicago-based company says it received orders for 17 commercial planes last month. That compares with orders for 58 planes during the same month last year.

Boeing says it delivered 39 planes last month, compared with 40 in April last year, according to figures posted on the company's Web site.

Boeing is facing weaker demand as the global economic crisis and tight credit markets undermine its customers.