Boeing's death spiral worsens as it received just seven orders for planes in April - with 33 orders canceled - as rival Airbus delivers almost twice as many planes so-far this year

Beleaguered aircraft manufacturer Boeing received just seven orders for planes last month, pushing the company further behind European rival Airbus.

The company said on Tuesday that it received the unusually low number that wasn't enough to offset canceled sales covering 33 planes. 

In total, the company delivered 24 commercial airplanes over the month, which is down two on the 26 they handed over during a weak April last year. 

In comparison, rivals Airbus have delivered 203 planes since the start of the year, compared to Boeing's 107.

The company also said on Tuesday that they would be delaying their first Starliner mission to carry humans to space to May 21 over issues with the spacecraft. 

Starliner's mission carrying two NASA astronauts to space had been set for liftoff from Florida last week until a technical issue prompted a delay to Friday, May 17.

Boeing said on Tuesday that it received the unusually low number that wasn't enough to offset canceled sales covering 33 planes

The clampdown comes after a door plug blew out of an Alaska Airlines 737 Max shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon, in January, seen here

In comparison, rivals Airbus have delivered 203 planes since the start of the year, compared to Boeing's 107. A A320-200 is seen here on final approach at New York JFK

The latest postponement until next week delays a program that is already years behind schedule and over $1.5 billion over budget. 

Boeing said that the new issue involves a leak of helium on Starliner's propulsion system. 

Canceled plane sales is largely due to the Canadian budget carrier Lynx Air's ceasing operations, which accounted for 29 of the planes, Boeing said.  

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently limiting the production of new Boeing 737 Max jets while the company tries to improve manufacturing. 

The clampdown comes after a door plug blew out of an Alaska Airlines 737 Max shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon, in January.

Pilots were able to land the plane safely, but the incident has cast Boeing into its deepest crisis since the deadly crashes of two Max jets in 2018 and 2019. 

Current and former Boeing employees have accused the company of taking safety shortcuts. 

The Arlington, Virginia-based company is under investigations by the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Justice Department. 

Boeing's Starliner capsule atop an Atlas V rocket is seen at Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Stationa

Last month, Sam Salehpour and Ed Pierson gave evidence to a Congress hearing about the company and the ongoing safety crisis.

Salehpour works as a Quality Engineer for the company, and claimed that sections of the 787 Dreamliner jets have not been properly secured.

During the hearing, it was revealed that Salehpour had faced threats from his supervisor after he attempted to discuss issues with the jets.

As well as the threats being made against Salehpour, Senator Richard Blumenthal held up a picture of a large nail through a car tire belonging to Salehpour.  

He also said that the safety situation at Boeing was like the company playing 'Russian roulette' with peoples lives, adding: 'We never know exactly when it's going to happen, when or where or how it's going to happen.'

Pierson said in written testimony that he believes the investigation into the 737 Max that had its door blown out mid flight was being covered up.

In March, whistleblower John Barnett was found dead in his truck in South Carolina while going throwing a whistleblowing suit against his former employer.

Salehpour (L), with Foundation for Aviation Safety Executive Director, Ed Pierson (C) and Foundation for Aviation Safety Engineer, Joe Jacobsen, testifies before the US Senate

As well as the threats being made against him, Senator Richard Blumenthal held up a picture of a large nail through a car tire

The 62-year-old was found in his truck in a hotel parking lot in South Carolina, - seven years after he retired following a 32-year career with Boeing

As well as the threats being made against him, Senator Richard Blumenthal held up a picture of a large nail through a car tire

The 62-year-old alleged that under-pressure workers were deliberately fitting sub-standard parts to aircraft while on the assembly line.

Barnett had alleged that second-rate parts were literally removed from scrap bins, before being fitted to planes that were being built to prevent delays.

A 2017 review by the FAA upheld some of his concerns, requiring Boeing to take action.

He had just given a deposition to Boeing's lawyers for the case the week before his death, his attorney Brian Knowles said.

Barnett's job for 32 years was overseeing production standards for the firm's planes - standards he said were not met during his four years at the then-new plant in Charleston from 2010 to 2014.

Barnett claimed he alerted superiors at the plant about his misgivings, but no action was ever taken. Boeing denied this, as well as his claims.

CEO David Calhoun, who will step down at the end of the year, has said many times that Boeing is taking steps to improve its manufacturing quality and safety culture.

He called the blowout on the Alaska jet a 'watershed moment' from which a better Boeing will emerge. There is plenty of skepticism about comments like that.