Airbus neck and neck with Boeing on first quarter orders

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2007

PARIS (AFP) — Airbus received a total of 134 orders in the first quarter of 2007, putting it neck and neck with US arch-rival Boeing, after having been knocked off its perch by the US company last year, according to a newsletter published on Thursday.

"In February and March eight clients made firm orders for 44 planes," said the document published by the European planemaker. It said the orders included 35 orders for A320 aircraft, two for A350XWBs and seven for A330/A340s. 90 orders had been received in January.

Over the same period Boeing received 126 orders, according to a table dated March 27 on its website.

Airbus, which is mired in financial difficulties, had been overtaken in 2006 by Boeing, with its 1,044 orders against 790 for the subsidiary of the...