Boeing Co. says it delivered 108 commercial jets in the first quarter of 2010.

The number announced Thursday is down from 121 jets in first quarter 2009 and 122 for the fourth quarter of last year.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes spokesman Jim Proulx (Proo) says that's due to normal variation and customer needs. He also points out that Boeing stopped delivering 747s late last year, as it starts building the new and larger 747-8. The 747-8 is undergoing flight tests, with the first to be delivered to Cargolux late this year.

Chicago-based Boeing says it expect to deliver 460 to 465 commercial jets this year, compared with 481 in 2009.

In the first quarter, Boeing delivered 86 737s, three 767s, 19 777s and no 747s.