New Delhi, April 23 -- US planemaker Boeing Co. on Wednesday reported a narrower loss for the first quarter ended March 31 on higher jet deliveries.

It reported a loss of 16 cents per share during the first quarter, as compared with a loss of 56 cents per share in the same period a year ago.

During the first quarter, free cash flow usage improved to negative $2.3 billion, as compared with negative $3.9 billion a year ago, Boeing said in a statement.

Shares of the company rose 4.2% in pre-market trading.

"We're building higher quality airplanes and delivering them with more predictability," Ortberg said in a letter to employees.

Calling 2025 "our turnaround year," Ortberg said the company is on track to raise output of its cash cow 73...